'We will return like a phoenix': Northampton choir on sticking together during the coronavirus lockdown

While coronavirus has stopped the Northampton Male Voice Choir from singing together physically, three months of rehearsals over Zoom has brought the group closer than ever before.

The group, which has been going for 74 years, had a packed calendar of events planned this year that has been wiped out by the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the more than 80 members have been keeping their vocal chords well-oiled and spirits high with weekly video conference rehearsals to learn new songs for whenever they can perform together again.

Musical director Stephen Bell said: "During lockdown I have done more rehearsals with this choir than I have ever done as the boys are so up for it and want to keep the momentum going."

The different choir sections practice separately every week but the biweekly full rehearsals have had regular attendances of around 60 members, a figure Stephen would be delighted with at a normal session.

He believes it shows how much the choir has meant to people during the lockdown, providing something to look forward to or break up the monotony.

"I work full-time so I don't need it to break up my week but a lot of our members are retired and it gives them structure," Stephen said.

"I have found it a mental challenge to my noodle to keep things together as all the things that are normal and you expect out of life like going out for dinner or the cinema or shopping, all of these things are being challenged.

"So no doubt a lot of people's motivation has been seeing their friends and fellow choristers Zoom every week."

As well as rehearsals, the choristers have been getting to know each other better by interviewing each other over video chat as well as a singing broadcast live on Facebook.

They have also been supported by their sponsors, including Hollowells Funeral Directors which has donated £4,000 during the lockdown.

Stephen fears it may be a while before they can get back to singing in the same room for an audience again though.

Singing seems to be particularly concerning for scientists for its potential to spread diseases combined with the older demographic performing and watching them makes for a lot of risk.

"We will either need a vaccine or a cure or some way of knowing how to keep people safe as the demographic of our audience is at high risk with mostly over-60s," he said.

"But we will overcome and reinvent ourselves - if I have to do it with my last dying breath, we will return like a phoenix."

The first concert back will be special for the choir though and Stephen believes Northampton will get behind them to celebrate the return, whenever that comes.

"As soon as we can do a concert, we will put it on as I think the appetite of the people of Northampton to see live music will be right up there," he said.

"People love going to concerts as it's so inspiring in a way TV isn't - it's great but music has a power to transend you everyday life and I think people will enjoy its return."