COVID guidance hits wrong note for singers - press release
Eleanor Pullen • May 21, 2021
Our Artistic Director Hilary Davan Wetton represents the Military Wives Choirs in lending his support to the below, which has been sent by our friends at Making Music, ISM, ABO and abcd.
Musicians object to guidance on indoor singing that is more restrictive than before the last national lockdown.
A number of leading music organisations have written to the Government objecting to updated guidance that allows only 6 people to sing together indoors. This is because indoor singing activity should be treated the same as other non-professional music activity and indoor organised sports activity, as was the case between August and December 2020. This campaign has been supported by The Incorporated Society of Musicians, Making Music, the Association of British Choral Directors, the Association of British Orchestras and the member organisations of Singing Network UK.
While the public health situation remains a concerning one, research shows that singing is no more dangerous in terms of COVID-19 transmission than shouting, speaking loudly or physical exercise. It appears that choirs are being treated as simply a social pastime, rather than an organised activity overseen by a recognised body (usually a charity or business) which is able to put effective safety protocols in place.
Unless this situation is addressed, there will be a significant negative impact on the wellbeing of over 2 million participants in singing groups across the country and will also have a financial impact, as ticket sales have to be reimbursed for upcoming performances. In addition, many of the UK’s 40,000 choirs are led by professionals who remain dependent on Government support until they can restart their professional life.
Making Music Chief Executive Barbara Eifler said:
‘2.2 million singers and 40,000 choirs across the UK have been preparing to return to rehearsals this week, writing extensive risk assessments, putting a host of mitigations in place and buying singing facemasks in vast quantities, only to find themselves stopped in their tracks a day after Step 3 had happened, and without warning. The government’s own research concluded last year that singing is no more dangerous than shouting. We urge the government to bring singing in terms of guidance in line with other organised activity by recognised bodies, such as non-professional music activity and indoor sports.’
ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts said:
‘It is clearly a mistake from the Government to make the guidance on indoor singing more restrictive than before the last national lockdown. While research shows that choirs offer many benefits for mental and physical well-being, it is not simply a casual social pastime. The Government should recognise that it is an organised activity overseen by an official body that is able to implement effective safety protocols and led by professionals that want to return to work. Public health guidance should be helping the safe return of millions of singers and thousands of choirs across the country, rather than forcing the cancellation of upcoming performances.’
Association of British Orchestras Director Mark Pemberton said:
‘The furore over these unexpected restrictions on singing is not confined to the amateur sector alone. The UK’s world-leading professional orchestras rely on amateur choruses, and as a result of these restrictions, concerts that have already been on the market, and sold out, will need to be cancelled and re-programmed. It makes no sense for ‘non-professionals’ to be treated differently to ‘professionals’ when taking part in a performance run by a professional organisation working to Covid secure protocols. If the Government’s own research shows that singing is safe, why change the rules now?’
About the ISM
The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) is the UK's professional body for musicians and a nationally-recognised subject association for music. Since 1882, we have been dedicated to promoting the importance of music and protecting the rights of those working in the music profession.
We support nearly 11,000 music professionals across the UK and Ireland with our unrivalled legal advice and representation, comprehensive insurance and specialist services. Our members come from all areas of the music profession and from a wide variety of genres and musical backgrounds.
We campaign tirelessly in support of musicians’ rights, music education and the profession as a whole. We are a financially independent not-for-profit organisation with no political affiliation. This independence allows us the freedom to campaign on any issue affecting musicians.
For more information, please contact bruce.rothberg@ism.org
About Making Music
Making Music has championed leisure-time music groups since 1935 across the UK with practical services, artistic development opportunities and by providing a collective voice for its members. We represent over 3,500 groups made up of around 190,000 musicians of all types, genres and abilities. We help them run their groups so they can get on with making music: www.makingmusic.org.uk
About the Association of British Orchestras
The ABO is the national body representing the collective interests of professional orchestras, youth ensembles and the wider classical music industry throughout the UK. The ABO's mission is to enable and support an innovative, collaborative and sustainable orchestral sector by providing advice, support, intelligence and information to the people who make British orchestras a global success.
@aborchestras
abcd is the only UK organisation devoted entirely to supporting those leading choral music, amateur and professional. It is committed to promoting opportunities for the professional development of everyone leading singing, in the classroom or the community, and runs an extensive programme of courses, as well as providing advice and support for all choral leaders.
A Royal Performance to Remember
We are delighted to have received a letter of thanks from The King, expressing his appreciation for our new single, ‘November Sunday’, a song presented as an early birthday gift to celebrate His Majesty’s forthcoming birthday on 14th November. In the letter, The King said: “I am writing to express my warmest possible gratitude for your very kind early birthday present, in the form of your new single, ‘November Sunday’. While those of us of a certain age may feel the need for any such birthday celebrations is in inverse proportion to our advancing years, I am none the less deeply touched by your wonderfully thoughtful tribute. “I also wanted to thank you for your steadfast support not only for your loved ones serving in our Military, who sacrifice so much time away from you and your families to protect us, but also for one another. “Having sung in a choir myself when I was at school, I know the joy of performing together can create close-knit friendships and support groups, and I remain a firm believer that music has a unique power to unite and inspire us all. My wife joins me in sending you all our blessings and kindest wishes.” ‘November Sunday’, released on 1st November, is a tribute to His Majesty and reflects the strong ties between the Royal Family and the Armed Forces. The song’s evocative lyrics reflect the joy brought to post-war Britain on 14th November 1948, marking the birth of the future King and celebrating the enduring bond with his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.  The piece was recorded by 100 singers from the Military Wives Choirs, drawn from the network in the UK and overseas, alongside the magnificent sounds of The Band of the Household Cavalry. With music and lyrics by John McLaren, the track brings together the nostalgia of the 1940s, enhanced by the artistry of platinum-selling producer Sean Hargreaves (Sigala, Paloma Faith, Ella Eyre) and arranger Steve Turner. This cross-genre production offers both the formality of a military ensemble and a bright, pop-influenced appeal. ‘November Sunday’ is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube: all links to the project can be found here .
We are delighted to announce that our latest song, ‘November Sunday’, is out now , honouring His Majesty The King’s birthday and reflecting the very close links between the Armed Forces and the Royal Family. The song captures the hope and joy brought to post-war Britain on 14th November 1948 with the birth of the future King, linking to his mother Queen Elizabeth II. Its beautiful, lullaby-like tune has been recorded by 100 singers drawn from members of the Military Wives Choirs network in the UK and abroad, accompanied by The Band of the Household Cavalry. For ‘November Sunday’, music & lyrics by John McLaren, platinum-selling producer Sean Hargreaves (Sigala, Paloma Faith, Ella Eyre) , and arranger Steve Turner have brought together the evocative soundscape of the 1940s, the pomp and circumstance of The Band of the Household Cavalry, the largest regular military Band, and a bright, pop-influenced musicality and instrumentation to create a memorable track with cross-genre appeal. The singers are conducted by the Military Wives Choirs’ Artistic Director, Hilary Davan Wetton, one of the country’s most renowned choral conductors, and The Band of the Household Cavalry by Major Craig Bywater. Caroline Paxton, Chair of Trustees said: "Our charity is founded on the principles of community and support; we do this through forging deep connections with one another through the power of singing. “For our first recording since 2020 we wanted to celebrate the special relationship the Armed Forces enjoy with the Royal Family. ‘November Sunday’ is our own heartfelt gift to His Majesty and was inspired by our deep appreciation and admiration for his service to this nation. “The song, with words and music by John McLaren, is set at the moment of the future King’s birth, echoing the joy the news brought to a country still recovering from war. It also pays tribute to his mother, the beloved late Queen Elizabeth II, who, like many members of our network, served in the Armed Forces and was also a military wife. “Our intention is that the song will enter into the core repertoire for our network of 70 choirs across the UK and overseas and be performed regularly around this time of year. We hope The King will enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoy singing it.” Producer Sean Hargreaves said: “When crafting the song, we were aiming for an emotional singer-songwriter feel, similar in approach to Taylor Swift's ‘Folklore’, but expanded to a choir of a hundred voices rather than a solo artist. “To achieve this, we had acoustic guitars in the foreground, arranged the rhythm section to ebb and flow, giving the arrangement plenty of space. This more modern feel complements John McLaren’s nostalgic lyrics beautifully. “What sets this song apart is how we incorporated The Band of the Household Cavalry. Rather than the way military bands are traditionally heard, we showcased them in a more cinematic style - similar to how a band like Radiohead or a film score might use orchestration - to add depth and colour.” ‘November Sunday’ is available to listen, watch and purchase now - find out more here.
