Burnley choir in tune with each other during lockdown thanks to virtual rehearsals

Contempo Choir, a contemporary community choir, is currently holding rehearsals via social media in a bid to keep members safe, their spirits up and their voices in tune.

Amy Tattersall, who has been running the choir since 2014, told the Express how the group had to shut rehearsals down two weeks ago amidst growing concerns about the coronavirus, but came up with a very modern solution.

She said: "The fact that we couldn't physically meet was never going to stop us. We have a private group of 56 members on Facebook and nearly all of them tuned in to our first virtual choir practice.

"Although I can't hear them, I can still go through the parts with them and they sing along at home. We do fun warm ups and even sing a virtual round where they put their voice to mine. We can all still communicate using the comments section on Facebook live and it's so lovely for everyone to still be in contact in these dark times.

"We've now had two virtual rehearsals and it looks as though it could be like this for a while! We are looking at ways to get our voices together even though we can't be together (recording individual voices and then mixing them together) and even have a music quiz night on a Tuesday. It's all good fun when we're all stuck indoors."

And in these unprecedented times when the country is having to summon up some wartime spirit, Amy sought inspiration from Second World War forces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn by adapting her uplifitng "We'll Meet Again" with new topical lyrics which the choir sang at the end of their first rehearsal.

"We'll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

Keep smiling through just like you always do

'Till the blue skies drive Corona far away

So won’t you please stay indoors

But keep tapping your toes

And keep singing your songs

It’s really boring I know

We’ve never seen this before

But together we’ll be strong

We'll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

We'll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

Keep smiling through just like you always do

'Til the blue skies drive Corona far away

So just keep washing your hands

Remember contact is banned

But it’s just for a while

We will soon reunite

Once we’ve all won this fight

They’ll hear us singing for miles!

We'll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day."