A GROUP of enthusiastic singers at Basildon Hospital are looking for a musical accompanist to help them hit the right note in their performances and weekly practice sessions.
The hospital choir meets once a week to practice a variety of songs, including pop classics and well-known favourites from musicals, along with golden oldies for patients with dementia and carols for Christmas time.
Rachel Webster, a senior nurse who leads the choir, said: “We are hoping to find a volunteer – possibly a retired teacher – who enjoys music as much as we do.
“There are usually about 10 of us in the choir, including nurses, therapists, radiographers and admin staff. Due to some of us working shifts we may not all attend every practice, but we are always in good voice and have a lot of fun.
“We are obtaining a good quality portable keyboard so we can easily transport it for performances. We have sung at the Christmas concert and to celebrate National Nurses Day. We enjoy all our shows, but it’s particularly rewarding singing for our patients who have dementia, because old familiar tunes can be very comforting and cheering for them.”
The hospital choir practice for one hour, at 5.15pm on Tuesdays, in the education centre at Basildon Hospital. If you are a pianist who might like to accompany them, please contact Rachel Webster for an informal chat on 01268 524900 ext. 8895, or email Rachel.webster@btuh.nhs.uk
