The community choirs and orchestras that are singing and playing through lockdown

Wren Music had to stop all their face-to-face choir, orchestra, and youth groups in March because of COVID-19

A music charity which runs community choirs and orchestras across Devon says its enforced switch to online sessions is bringing in brand new singers and musicians - some joining in from Spain and Italy.

Wren Music had to stop all their face-to-face choir, orchestra, and youth groups in March because of COVID-19. The regular sessions - some weekly, some monthly - take place at locations in north, south, east, and west Devon and are attended by around 400 singers and musicians.

But rather than pack away their microphones and musical instruments, Wren spent a month researching and developing their online community. Since it was launched on April 20, more than 200 people have signed up. Among them are new joiners, including an ex-pat from Sheepwash now living in Spain and a vocalist in Italy, as well as enthusiasts who live locally.

Creative director at Wren, Marilyn Tucker, said going online has made participation easier for those unable to attend the groups in person or who lack the confidence: “We are reaching out to new people, which is great,” she said. “And it means people are taking part in singing and playing music, and that is very important at a time when people might be feeling isolated.

“We know that the ‘warm up’ breathing exercises we do for all our groups can help lungs to stay strong. We’ve got some members who have had COVID-19 who have told us that taking part is helping their recovery.”

Wren has secured some emergency funding from Arts Council England. So far, Wren have moved 14 of their groups online and will be adding more in the coming weeks. Among those already up and running are Voices in Common in Exeter, West Devon Folk Choir, Torbay Folk Choir, East Devon Folk Choir, North Devon Folk Choir, Folk Orchestra of North Devon, Rough Music (orchestra for Exeter and East Devon), Folk Orchestra of Torbay, MenSing, the Mandolin Orchestra of Devon, Fiddle Orchestra of Devon, and groups for children and young people.

Each tutorial is taken by one of Wren’s professional vocal or music leaders and is available online for everyone to learn their parts in their own home, in their own time, as often as they like. Sound files of the other parts in the pieces are also recorded by Wren and are available to listen to separately and all together, so everyone can learn their parts individually and hear the other parts as well.

“There is no substitute for being together in the same room, but it’s the next best thing,” said Marilyn. “The feedback is that people are really enjoying it. We felt it wouldn’t have worked doing sessions by live video conference using something like Zoom or Skype because of the time delays, but the groups do all get together for an online discussion every week - and we hold those at their usual group meeting time because we know that routine can be helpful.”

One of the new members is Ellen Stuart from Tavistock, who has joined the West Devon Folk Choir, led by Wren vocal leader Sarah Owen: “I am in another local ladies choir as well, but we’ve obviously not been able to meet, so when I saw what Wren were doing, I thought I would join up,” said Ellen. “I was struggling a bit because my husband and son were both having to isolate in their rooms. Joining lifted my spirits enormously - I didn’t realise how much I was missing singing. One of the great things is that because of the way Wren have put this together, I can try singing the other parts, too,” she added.

Long-term member of West Devon Folk Choir, Barbara Childs from Okehampton, said: “It’s like having private tuition, but at the same time, we know that the rest are doing it as well. It’s enabling us to keep on singing - and Sarah is absolutely brilliant, she takes you through everything, note by note.”

Rose Gander, of Voices in Common in Exeter agrees, saying it has introduced a whole new way of improving her vocal skills: “I’m getting so much out of singing in this way - it’s being able to have one-to-one tuition with Wren’s amazing vocal leaders, and you can go back to it time and time again. The most important thing for me is being able to learn something new - and it is also something to focus on in lockdown.”

Between them, Hugh and Cathy Edwards from Kingskerswell are in three Wren groups - both are in the Folk Orchestra of Torbay, Cathy is in the Fiddle Orchestra, and Hugh is in MenSing. Hugh said: “We were both missing our music, so this is brilliant. The way that Wren have put it together is extraordinarily professional - the quality of the tutorials and sound is fantastic, and the resources are excellent.

“You can slow down the files, so you can learn a piece at your own pace. And you can choose which bits to learn. It’s helping me to develop, which is important to me. Because it works equally well for beginners and for more experienced players, it’s great for all ages. Wren’s motto is ‘A World Where Every Voice is Heard’ - and that really is the case.”

Marilyn hopes that every voice will be heard together soon - but in the meantime, the online community is keeping everyone singing and playing: “Once we can all meet up again, our choirs and orchestras will be able to join together to play these songs and tunes they have learned online. That will be absolutely wonderful and something to look forward to.”

The next series of five sessions is available from Friday 5 June and new joiners are welcome. There is a range of prices and discount codes are available. To see how the online community works, search for Wren Music on Facebook or visit www.wrenmusic.co.uk and click ‘Join’.