Page 12 - We'll Sing Coverage Book

Simon Armitage (Image: PA)

Mr Armitage said: "It’s been a great pleasure to write songs for my local world-
famous choir.

"I wanted to try and catch some of the mood of lockdown in the lyrics, both the
difficulties people have gone through and the great resilience they’ve shown.

"The pandemic has been devastating for the creative arts but especially hard on
singers, with the world reduced to whispers and masked mumblings.

"I didn’t just want to put words in their mouths, I wanted to put air in their lungs and
blood in their hearts."
Gregory Batsleer, Choral Director, Huddersfield Choral Society added: "Huddersfield
Choral Society is an amazing community and a huge part of the city’s cultural life.

"For the first time in its 184-year history, it has been silenced. The pandemic has
brought to light how fragile the music industry is and many have been found
searching the soul of their existence.

"We were devastated to lose two of our members to COVID and wanted to create
something that provides hope but also demonstrates the importance of embracing
innovation.

"The lyrics Simon has written are so poignant, made even more so as the members
are the root of the inspiration.

"Earlier this week we came together in small groups for the first time to start
rehearsing. It is going to be an emotional process and I can’t wait to share these
beautiful two new works with music by the brilliant Cheryl Frances-Hoad and Daniel
Kidane.’