A choral anniversary brought members of Hull Community Voices to Nordic House as they celebrated 20 years singing in the city.

The group partnered with the barbershop chorus Humber Harmony and the female barbershop chorus Three Crown Sound for an afternoon of singing which raised money for Hull Help for Refugees and Hull Food Bank.

Debbie Darmody, co-leader with Jack Bridges of Hull Community Voices, said the not-for-profit group welcomed the chance to return to the Danish Church and Nordic House having performed here at a choir festival before Covid.

Debbie said: “I have been in the choir for the last 12 years and I have been a leader for about six years. We have about 40 members from in and around Hull and there are some who have been involved for nearly the full 20 years.

“The group was set up on the basis that everybody can sing and everybody has a voice and that’s still the ethos. We have some people who are almost semi-professional and others who were told at school that they couldn’t sing but who always wanted to if they got the chance.”

Val Allison, who lives in Hull, joined the choir nearly 19 years ago after her husband died and is continuing a passion for music dating back more than 70 years.

Val said: “I have always liked singing and I come from a musical family. My dad was a concert secretary in a club, I was in the choir at Constable Street school and there was always music on in our house.

“I saw the choir advertised and I have been in it ever since. It’s friendly, uplifting and good for mental health and dealing with loneliness because it makes you believe in yourself.

“We sing in different languages and at different venues. We have people from all sorts of backgrounds, we help one another and we bring joy to others when we sing in residential  homes and homeless shelters, and that’s a wonderful thing to do.”
Charlotte Theill, Manager of Nordic House and The Danish Church, added: “The choir event was great fun for the singers and their audience and because they enjoyed it so much we are now talking about organising similar events including singing workshops to help others get involved.”

To find out more about Hull Community Voices please visit https://hullcommunityvoices.org.uk/