Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Vic Wallace, 90, of the Croydon Male Voice Choir, captivated audiences at a Tower Bridge TV recording, proving age no barrier to stealing the spotlight.
A new show for Channel 4, tentatively called Your Song, was being recorded by a production team on a specially built stage on the Thames embankment.
Alison Hammond hosts the Croydon show, which is produced by the same team that creates The Great British Bake-off and The Piano (Claudia Winkleperson wasn’t available).
“These powerful performances will take place on a pop-up stage equipped with a live house band.”
According to the advertising blurb, Your Song “will celebrate the nation’s hidden voices by giving non-professional singers the chance to perform a song that holds deep personal meaning to them.”
The producers were obviously impressed by Wallace’s backstory. He had a quadruple heart bypass at the age of 70. He had a stroke at age 87 that left him speechless and unable to move. From his hospital bed, all he could hear was a man singing a song that Count Basie and Frank Sinatra had made popular in the hallway.
The TV producers had asked the Croydon Male Voice Choir’s musical director, Andrew Moore, to recommend a vocalist with a backstory. “Young Vic” immediately came to mind.
According to Wallace’s CMVC colleague Dave Bannister,
“Vic then went through a rigorous process before being selected to perform. This involved interviews with Vic and his family, as well as visits by the film crew to a rehearsal of the Sandilands Shanty Crew, a CMVC off-shoot of which Vic is also a member.”
And Bannister writes:
“On Saturday afternoon, CMVC members and supporters gathered at the Horniman, a Thameside pub close to Potters Fields Park where the stage had been erected.
After strolling along to the park and enjoying the previous performer, the choir raised its banner and struck up Robbie Williams’ Angels to the delight of the watching public.
Alison Hammond interviewed Vic and his extended family, down to his infant great-grandson, before he took the stage to rapturous applause and cheering from the choir and audience.
The rain then cascaded down, but this didn’t bother choir members and other supporters as they surrounded Vic to congratulate him. Even Alison Hammond came up and insisted we sing the chorus of Angels with her in front of cameras.”
Bannister claims that Wallace then returned to his hotel to get ready for Sunday’s filming. As is their custom, his choirmates returned to the tavern.
Similar to The Piano, the program’s structure involves the performers receiving support from two mentors, Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder.
“The most inspiring and wonderful thing for me in music are the personal stories of individual people,”
said songstress Faith.
“I am delighted to take part in your song so I can be closer to that inspiration.”
Later this year, Channel 4 is anticipated to air Your Song, or whatever they choose to title it.
How can community choirs encourage participation from seniors?
Create a warm, inviting and accepting environment where seniors feel welcome and appreciated.
Promote socialization through regular coffee chats, social gatherings and hang-outs after rehearsals to help develop friendships. Schedule rehearsals to accommodate seniors in mid-morning or early afternoon schedules.
Choose easily accessible venues that have good wheelchair accessibility, seating that is comfortable and lighting that is adequate. Provide transportation support or work with a local community service to help seniors who need assistance with mobility.
Include music that is familiar to them, and has nostalgic relevance to their musical interests and history. Incorporate a range of styles of music to accommodate preference and ability.