That was the year that was...
/As 2021 draws to a close, it’s staggering to think we’ve lived in a world of Covid-19 for almost two years! While the pandemic derailed much of our in-person work to begin with, we’ve still been busy this year and we’re delighted to now be back in the rehearsal room with our choirs.
Below are some of our 2021 highlights. Thank you for joining us on the ride!
Live and CIC-ing
In February we became a Community Interest Company (CIC). As published on our blog at the time, this move enables us to seek more financial support to create singing projects with communities and groups who might not have the resources to participate in the work we do.
The restructure proved beneficial almost immediately when in March we were funded for…
Sing for Better Breathing
This online group supports people with chronic lung conditions to manage their symptoms through singing. Initially set up in the London Borough of Barnet, we have loved getting to know a fantastic group of people living with a range of conditions.
As one member wrote of their experience, “The sessions were relaxing and made me feel happy. Most of all my breathing improved and I became aware of using different parts of my body to breathe correctly.”
The weekly activity has also been hugely beneficial to those members who still have to shield due to Covid-19.
We continue to run Sing for Better Breathing and welcome new members. If you know someone with a chronic lung condition who might benefit from these sessions, do get in touch!
A New Look for Starling Arts
To tie in with our new business structure, it only seemed right to have a new look!
We asked designer Rosemary Linnell to come up with the perfect new logo for us and were thrilled with the results.
Since May this year we’ve been sporting this fab new look and, if you join our new Fan Club (more info below) you’ll bag yourself an exclusive pin badge with this gorgeous design!
You can find out more info on the logo change here.
Choir Life is the Only Life
Having spent a year running our choirs on Zoom, in the summer we were thrilled to finally catch up with everyone in person and run some one-off singing events outdoors. It was joyful to hear live harmony for the first time in months and to witness our community of singers back together in person. It was also lovely to sing in all sorts of quirky outdoor spaces across London!
In September we launched the Starling Voices. Formed of members from our previous three choirs - Forte, Corvida and the Starling Singers - and welcoming lots of gorgeous new faces and voices to our flock, the Starling Voices host two groups, one meeting north and the other south of the Thames.
We’ve loved working with these groups through this term and getting everyone into vocal shape for…
Starling 10+
Having to postpone our Starling 10 concert in April 2020 was a huge disappointment, but nothing will deter us!
All being well (!), on Saturday April 9th 2022 we’re thrilled to be taking to the stage at Cadogan Hall to perform Starling 10+ and celebrate over ten years of all our work getting groups singing!
Ticket holders for the original 2020 event sill hold valid tickets for this new date, but if you haven’t yet secured your seats, hit the button below!
Join our Fan Club
If you’d like to contribute to the work we do here at Starling Arts then you can join our Fan Club!
The Fan Club offers our supporters the chance to make an annual donation to Starling Arts and contribute to our work singing the way to happier, healthier communities!
Joining also includes a few membership perks, so check out the Fan Club page for more info!
While there’s still a lot of uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 and its continued impact on all of our lives, we will continue to sing in the safest way possible (be it online, in person, or both!) to boost everyone’s day with song!
Thank you for your support this year and always. Here’s to a very healthy and happy New Year!
Anna & Emily x
