THE joy of singing has brought together a talented group of young people.
ReJoySing! is a small group of school-age singers formed in 2008. They rehearse every week at Moldgreen United Reformed Church.
Over the years the numbers have fluctuated and today there are five singers, aged from 12 upwards – all girls. Taking on the big school choirs, ReJoySing! has been highly commended in the Mrs Sunderland Music Festival.
The group was formed by well-known professional musician and musical director Gordon Balmforth through Caritas, the charity set up by musicians and singers. The girls have become one of the main fundraisers for Caritas, which helps people with long term medical conditions.
They give up their free time to attend weekly practice sessions under the exacting eye – and ear – of Mr Balmforth as well as travelling into the community to sing in residential homes for the elderly, care homes, charity fundraisers and public concerts.
After supporting other singers and musicians for many years, ReJoySing! are to host their own concert with invited guest performers in September of this year.
Gordon, who was Roy Orbison’s pianist on his 1972 world tour, said: “Over the years the girls have grown immensely in their musicianship and now, even at a strength of five, are skilled at singing at three-part harmony, as well as singing in Italian, German and Latin.”
Their repertoire ranges from Panis Angelicus by Cesar Franck through Disney songs and specially written numbers to Miley Cyrus’ The Climb.
The group never fail to impress wherever they perform and sometimes their music has the power to leave the audience misty-eyed.
Gordon added: “Not only does their singing benefit the wider community, but also their own self-confidence and they present an assured performance of high artistic merit wherever they go.
“They just sing out and they are good. The girls have become a tight-knit group and they really enjoy singing and learning new songs.
“They are a very talented group – I don’t think they realise how good they are.”
