FRIDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER, 2015

EMBARGOED UNTIL PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 1.30PM, SUNDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER, BIG SING EVENT, PERTH CONCERT HALL

Singing to success in THAT Vocal Chord group

Members of the Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust (THAT) and Horsecross Vocal Chord group shared their singing talents at the Perth Concert Hall Big Sing Event today (Sunday, 13 September).

People living with a variety of long-term conditions performed as part of their five-week pilot Vocal Chord programme.

The programme is run by THAT in association with Horsecross Arts Perth and is supported by NHS Tayside and Creative Scotland.

The Vocal Chord group is made up of people from across Tayside who have previously worked with THAT on their Musicality programmes as part of THAT’s creative engagement project 2013-15.

Singing coach Debra Salem worked with the group during five sessions at Perth Concert Hall to explore their creativity through singing in a fun and enjoyable way.

Debra said, “We are now simply a group of people who sing and share music together, they just happen to have long term conditions. I have had the advantage of being able to do slightly more complex arrangements because I have worked with most of the group before and they have the ability to tackle it.”

The Vocal Chord group also plan to perform at the THAT/Dundee Contemporary Arts Platform Arts and Health Event on Thursday, 17 September.

THAT development officer Karine Neill said, “This is a new approach and we are looking at how people with a variety of long term conditions enjoy coming together as one group to take part in an enjoyable and fun activity. Participants have experienced a real sense of achievement and have enjoyed working together as a team.”

THAT promotes the therapeutic value of arts-based programmes to enhance quality of life, to promote

social inclusion and empower the individual to make an important contribution to their health and wellbeing.

For more information about the programme contact Karine Neill on 01382 835509.

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134