A unique and innovative fundraising initiative has been launched today – World Kindness Day, 13th November 2017 – by Mary Bourne, founder and musical director of the Singing it Back community choir to raise funds for two charities close to her own heart.
Anxiety UK and Action For Happiness have been chosen by Mary to benefit from the funds raised from other community choirs downloading the score and utilising with their own choirs repertoire in the coming months.
Already performed and recorded by the 76 singers from Mary’s three Singing It Back choirs, accompanied by the Woking Wind Orchestra, the score for “Do You Hear My Voice” was written and produced by Mary herself.
It can now be downloaded free from her website with voluntary donations able to be made for the use of the score via www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/doyouhearmyvoice.
Commenting on the unique fundraising idea Mary Bourne said: “All too often we suffer in silence. “Do You Hear My Voice” encourages us to raise our voices, be heard and feel understood.
“I am hopeful that choirs, schools, individuals, choral societies, soloists, families and friends will download the score for “Do You Hear My Voice” which is available as a free download on my website and enjoy learning and performing the song.
“By giving a voluntary donation for the music, you will be supporting my two chosen charities; AnxietyUK and Action For Happiness.”
Anxiety UK’s Chief Executive Nicky Lidbetter said: “We are thrilled that Mary has chosen Anxiety UK as one of the charities to benefit from this wonderful initiative and generous gesture.
“I know from my own experience of singing in a community choir how relaxing and therapeutic it can be and this is a fantastic way of capturing how music has helped Mary.”
Dr Mark Williamson, Director at Action For Happiness said: “Singing is a fantastic way to boost wellbeing and bring people together in local communities. Mary’s project is so inspiring and I’m sure people all around the country will want to get involved.
“It’s wonderful that Action for Happiness and Anxiety UK are the chosen charities for this fantastic initiative. This means that when people support this project they’ll also be helping to promote good mental wellbeing for thousands of others too”
A campaign to promote awareness of the event is also launched today using #DoYouHearMyVoice at the forefront of social media activity.
It is recommended the SSA + Men score for choirs who wish to sing in harmony. A unison score is also available. There is a piano accompaniment but the song can also be sung a cappella .
You can also enjoy listening to the song at the YouTube link below. It was recorded with 76 choir members and a 24 piece wind band. It was a fantastic experience with many hours of hard work. Every donation is greatly appreciated and goes directly to the two charities.
Even if you are not part of a choir, you can get involved by printing the score and encouraging others to learn the song. Perhaps your children are part of a newly formed school choir looking for an uplifting accessible piece of music. There are various versions of the score to enable as many as possible to get involved, regardless of musical experience.
The music can be downloaded at http://singingitback.co.uk/doyouhearmyvoice/
Watch the video via the YouTube link – https://youtu.be/cStDoj6Hgns
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About Mary
My name is Mary Bourne and I am a community choir leader. I’ve been leading choirs for the past 10 years. I have written a song called “do you hear my voice?” I am sharing the music to raise money for AnxietyUK and Action for Happiness. Everybody has a voice, some more confident than others, but all voices are important. The way we use our voices can leave us feeling empowered and valued. My work as a choir leader and singer has helped me find coping strategies to my manage my own experience of Anxiety and Depression. There have been times in my own life where I have felt voiceless or misunderstood. Singing has enabled me to share my emotions in a safe way. The lyrics within a song are often a way for me to express how I am feeling. I hope that my composition resonates with many.
About Anxiety UK
Anxiety UK is run by and for those living with and/or affected by anxiety disorders, stress and depression. With over 47 years’ experience of providing support, Anxiety UK delivers a range of services including a national information line, and talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling and clinical hypnotherapy through its network of Anxiety UK Approved Therapists.
For more information on any of Anxiety UK’s services including training, partnership and consultancy services contact: info@anxietyuk.org.uk, call 0161 226 7727 or visit: www.anxietyuk.org.uk.
About Action for Happiness
Action for Happiness is a movement of people committed to building a happier and more caring society. We want to see a fundamentally different way of life – where people care less about what they can get just for themselves and more about the happiness of others.
For more information visit http://www.actionforhappiness.org/about-us
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