Bored? Fed up? But love singing? Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus is offering you a golden opportunity to do something about it, despite the restrictions. “The pandemic has thrown up some challenges for us as a chorus, but we’ve risen to them and managed to keep singing” says their American Musical Director, Valerie Lynch; who took over as MD at the start of lockdown in March 2020.

Determined not to be beaten by the pandemic, Spangles’ management team devised ways that the chorus could stay together and sing together. Chorus Manager (and tech whizz), Lyn Baines, explains: “We tried Zoom and all those other wonderful online meeting apps, but none would allow us to all sing at the same time. Latency is a big issue, so Valerie kindly offered to coach us individually and this is what we have been doing during the restricted times.”

Spangles had a brief period during the summer when restrictions were relaxed and they were able to rehearse together using specially-designed singing masks, safely distanced and in the open air. Their last rehearsal together was on 29 October, when they celebrated Hallowe’en. Since then, they have returned to online coaching and have been successful in recruiting new virtual members.

Since March 2020 Spangles has learned 7 new songs and created 5 videos, with another video due to be released on Valentine’s Day. If you live permanently in Murcia region or Alicante province, you can join the chorus as a virtual member, with a view to becoming a full member once they are able to meet again. To find out more, email them at info@spangleschorus.com or find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpanglesChorus

Spangles is a ladies’ a cappella chorus, singing in four part harmony. They normally rehearse every Thursday, from 10.15 am to 1.15 pm at Centro Municipal Las Claras, Calle Helena, Los Narejos, Los Alcázares but are currently rehearsing online. You can contact them by email by clicking this link: info@spangleschorus.com