Project Description
Sing Together took place on Saturday 29th September, 2018 at Preston Minster. The event was designed both as a celebration of Whittingham Asylum and its pioneering activities and as a means of highlighting the role music and singing can play in alleviating mental health concerns.
Groups of experienced choral singers, community choirs, health-focused choirs, amateur singers and individuals who may have had mental health concerns came together from across the county to enjoy a day of singing!
The event was led by Neil Taylor, Musical Director of the St George’s Singers accompanied by Pete Durrant on the piano. Singing included pieces from a new choral suite, especially commissioned for the Whittingham Lives project ‘War’s Embers’, some short choral works by composers who have suffered from mental health problems and well-known folksongs and traditional pieces from World War One.
The day culminated with Neil Taylor conducting the singers in an informal concert of the music that had been learnt throughout the day. Singers were also treated to a piano solo from pianist Pete Durrant playing pieces by composers who suffered from severe mental health difficulties.