Drybrook and District Male Voice Choir are determined not to be defeated by lockdown.

The Forest of Dean-based choir have come together virtually to create a performance of the Nina Simone classic “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free”, overcoming considerable technical challenges along the way.

The choir has been singing together for over 70 years, but with many of its member older and more vulnerable to Covid-19, it will be many months before they will be able to meet up physically again. So the choir’s musical director, Pete Alan, has masterminded a virtual performance of a song that feels particularly appropriate to the current times.

Each choir member had to video their own part individually, along with an accompaniment from pianist Anita Chaloner and others, and everything was put together to create the finished result. Those without suitable technology, or who were shielding from the virus, were visited and filmed at a safe distance by other choir members.

“I’m very proud of what the choir has achieved”, said Pete Alan. “And even though we will not perform in public again for some time, we are finding a new audience online and it’s great to see how many people are watching our videos on YouTube.”

You can watch Drybrook & District Male Voice Choir perform here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhtMMv0ivhc