11 members of the Love Music Community Choir and team are running in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival this weekend to raise funds for its inclusive singing project for 8-12 year olds, Love Music Junior Choir.
The runners have been sharing their training stories on social media over the last few weeks @lovemusicscot, encouraging donations from friends and families to support the project. If you’d like to support them and Love Music Junior Choir with a donation, please do so here
Love Music Choirs provide fun, inclusive and inspiring experiences for people from any background. There are no auditions or requirements for previous experience, and choir members can expect to sing a wide range of music from across the world and in many different styles and languages, specially arranged for them by renowned music educator and director Stephen Deazley.
They work with professional musicians in rehearsal and performance, and learn about different styles of singing and musical expression. The choirs’ focus is on inclusivity, diversity and open access to exceptional-quality musical experiences.
Love Music Junior Choir members are resident in every postcode area from EH1 to EH17, with over half receiving free places and living in the highest-ranking areas of multiple deprivation.
Choir members meet at the Usher Hall on a Monday afternoon to sing together, meet new friends from across the city and most importantly have fun!
Love Music’s Artistic Director Stephen Deazley will run the full marathon, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Neil Weir, and Love Music’s Manager & Producer, Ruth Davie, will run the half marathon, and Events Assistant, Kirsten Hunter, the 10K.
They will be joined by 8 members of the Love Music Community Choir in the various races. Between them, they are hoping to raise £7,500 to support the Junior Choir into its third year. If you’d like to support them and Love Music Junior Choir with a donation, please do so here.
Both Love Music Choirs receive generous support from the City of Edinburgh Council and Usher Hall.
Stephen Deazley, Love Music Artistic Director said:“Junior Choir is a very special project close to our hearts. Our children light up the Usher Hall with joyful energy, and as a team we try to meet this by offering the most creative, adventurous and musically diverse programmes we can.
“Our 100% commitment to inclusion, and providing support and opportunities for children from across the city, means we have to work extra hard raising funds to make it happen, but we’re up for it. If that means swopping the concert hall for the running track for a while, so be it!”Â
The Rt Hon Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Frank Ross, is the Love Music Community Choir’s Patron. He said:“What an incredible way for our singers to support their younger choir members. It has been such a joy to see Love Music grow into one of the biggest – and best – choirs in the UK and, as a city, we are proud to provide free access to the Usher Hall for their rehearsals and performances.
“As members prepare to swap the stage for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, I’d like to wish everyone taking part the very best of luck!”
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