I have lived in London for over 30 years and am fortunate to have been able to meet lots of friends and work colleagues over the years but, as can so often be the case in the capital, I had never really felt part of a local community. In 2019 a friend invited me to attend the summer concert given by the Mixed Up Chorus and the Sing for Freedom Choir. Packed into Hargrave Hall, a local community centre in Archway near to where I live, the concert was thoroughly enjoyable, moving and participatory in equal measure and I signed up for the Mixed Up Chorus the following term. I have always loved singing but never had the confidence to join a ‘formal’ choir. And whilst all elements of Together Productions strive to be the best we can, the inclusive, communal nature of the project was just what I was looking for. When the previous long-term Treasurer had to give up the role, I wanted to help give something back – an important part of the ethos of Together Productions – so took over the role in 2020.

Favourite Together Productions Moment: Performing at the Union Chapel in January 2020 as part of the ‘Singing Our Lives’ project was a wonderful experience. The event commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day and was an amazing celebration of music, bringing together hundreds of performers from different parts of London in a joyous, visually stunning evening. Being able to sing in front of friends and family in such a fantastic venue where so many great musicians have performed is something I shall never forget, made all the more poignant by it being the last time all strands of Together Productions were able to come together before the pandemic turned the world upside down. It was also very special to be able to go to the BBC in central London with others to talk live on radio about the concert.