Inclusive choir put on first show at Midlands Art Centre
Children and young people with severe and profound learning disabilities took part in Birmingham Inclusive Choir’s first-ever showcase concert.
The concert held at Birmingham Midlands Art Centre (MAC) was a celebration of music, friendship and inclusion.
Birmingham Inclusive Choir was first started in lockdown but now holds in person meetings throughout most of the year, and enables children and young people with severe and profound learning disabilities to enjoy music and singing together.
The choir, run by Birmingham charity Services For Education in conjunction with national charity Soundabout, staged the Showcase performance that was attended by Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Ken Wood and parents, carers and family friends.
Now in its fifth year, Birmingham Inclusive Choir brings together young people from across the city to play and enjoy using music-making instruments including tambourines, maracas, xylophones and egg shakers for percussion.
Richard Mabbott, head of the Music Service at Services For Education and a former choral scholar, said: “Birmingham Inclusive Choir is just a brilliant way of bringing music to the lives of children and young people with complex support needs.
“They and their family, friends and carers really enjoy and get pleasure from singing and playing sound makers, listening, vocalising and moving to the music.
“It’s amazing that nearly five years on from being established in lockdown, when the only way they could get together was online, Birmingham Inclusive Choir is stronger and more powerful than ever, bringing joy to the choir members’ lives.
“I know from singing in choirs that performing together is uplifting and brings great happiness to choir members.”
It was the first time the choir had held its own Showcase event, having previously performed at Services For Education’s Outdoor Festival at the MAC in May last year featuring its Music Service ensembles.
Birmingham Inclusive Choir is funded through grants and fundraising, costing around £15,000 a year to run. Face-to-face sessions are held during term time at the MAC, with additional online sessions taking place in between as part of the West Midlands Inclusive Choir.
Children and young people with severe and profound learning disabilities took part in Birmingham Inclusive Choir’s first-ever showcase concert.
The concert held at Birmingham Midlands Art Centre (MAC) was a celebration of music, friendship and inclusion.
Birmingham Inclusive Choir was first started in lockdown but now holds in person meetings throughout most of the year, and enables children and young people with severe and profound learning disabilities to enjoy music and singing together.
The choir, run by Birmingham charity Services For Education in conjunction with national charity Soundabout, staged the Showcase performance that was attended by Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Ken Wood and parents, carers and family friends.
Now in its fifth year, Birmingham Inclusive Choir brings together young people from across the city to play and enjoy using music-making instruments including tambourines, maracas, xylophones and egg shakers for percussion.
Richard Mabbott, head of the Music Service at Services For Education and a former choral scholar, said: “Birmingham Inclusive Choir is just a brilliant way of bringing music to the lives of children and young people with complex support needs.
“They and their family, friends and carers really enjoy and get pleasure from singing and playing sound makers, listening, vocalising and moving to the music.
“It’s amazing that nearly five years on from being established in lockdown, when the only way they could get together was online, Birmingham Inclusive Choir is stronger and more powerful than ever, bringing joy to the choir members’ lives.
“I know from singing in choirs that performing together is uplifting and brings great happiness to choir members.”
It was the first time the choir had held its own Showcase event, having previously performed at Services For Education’s Outdoor Festival at the MAC in May last year featuring its Music Service ensembles.
Birmingham Inclusive Choir is funded through grants and fundraising, costing around £15,000 a year to run. Face-to-face sessions are held during term time at the MAC, with additional online sessions taking place in between as part of the West Midlands Inclusive Choir.
Pictured from left to right: Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Ken Wood; Choir member Hugh Murphy; Sharon Bell, Services For Education