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The choir was initially set up in 2013 by the East Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes to participate in a national choir competition celebrating the centenary of the W.I. Following the competition our members wished to continue singing together. Our ethos was to take music into the rural areas of the East Riding to combat social isolation and improve health and well-being.
The choir has performed at venues in villages and towns across the county. On one occasion we sang with a group of children from a primary school and on another with a brass ensemble.
We include some songs for audience participation and involve local groups to provide refreshments so that they can raise money. Workshops have been organised which were very successful, with between 50 and 90 participants at each.
The choir is a not-for-profit organisation, independent of the W.I., whilst still retaining the same enthusiasm to share our love of music. We wish to help women throughout East Yorkshire to experience fun, friendship and health benefits with us. Our independence will allow us the freedom to encourage more women to join us who are not currently W.I. members. Through fundraising we have been able to purchase a keyboard for use during rehearsals and concerts if no piano is available.
The choir is run by an elected group of voluntary trustees with two sessional professional musicians providing musical direction and piano accompaniment, funded by members' subscriptions. Janice Summers enthusiastically led the choir until December 2019 when we sadly said goodbye to her after six years of fun and friendship. We welcomed Christina Leeman as our new musical director in February 2020 who took on the role with similar enthusiasm. Our wonderful accompanist Elaine Dave left us in December 2020 after seven years due to relocation. In December 2021 we welcomed our new pianist Edward Lainchbury who has slotted into the role perfectly.
Eastern Lights WI Choir
