Wednesday the 22nd of March 2017 saw the official launch of the song written by the Kilbryde Hospice Day Services patients with music therapist Anna Ludwig, “When I Think of Kilbryde”.  Anna worked with the group to compose a song about the hospice which she then taught to the Kilbryde Community Choir. With support from The Foundry Music Lab they were able to record the song and produce a CD which is available to buy from the hospice and it’s shops for £5.00!

Wednesday saw the culmination of this exciting and unique project with invited guests and a live performance of “When I think of Kilbryde”.  A special thank you goes out to members of the South Lanarkshire Workplace Choir who joined the Kilbryde Community Choir for the event. Care @ Home Specialist Nurse, Sine MacDonald commented “As a nurse, to observe people who have a life limiting illness find momentary respite lost in the fun, laughter and thoughts that music can provide was indeed humbling”.

Running since October 2015, the choir has grown from 4 to over 20 regular members.  Originally a collaborative project with the British Lung Foundation (Singing for Lung Health), the hospice took over the funding of the choir in early 2016 and opened it up to all patients, staff, volunteers, family members, carers and members of the general public.

Quotes about attending choir include: “Attending choir makes me feel confident, alive and content with life”, “attending choir makes me feel determined”, “attending choir boosts my mood”, “attending choir makes me feel invigorated.  It’s the one day a week I really look forward to”.

The choir meets weekly with Anna in the drop-in area of Kilbryde Hospice at 1:30pm until 2:30pm  During rehearsals, particular care is taken in warming up the whole body as well as the voice.  Everyone is welcome, no experience is required so come along and discover the potential benefits of improved physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing by singing in a choir.