A POPULAR choir which started with just a teacher and young students and parents is set to mark its 10th anniversary.

Clare Leach started the Harwich Sing Tendring Voices after volunteering and helping with music at her children's school over ten years ago.

She helped out with assemblies, hymn practices and the school choir.

"It all started with one kid's and one adult choir and it grew from there," said Clare. 

"After arranging several sell-out charity concerts with the school choir with a temporary adults choir made up of mums and dads, it was apparent how popular the choir 'thing' was." 

As she approached the end of her volunteering at the school, she was asked to set up a choir properly, one that the community could participate in.

The choir approached every opportunity with a smile and tried its best at every performance.

It has now performed at everything from charity balls, concerts, weddings, funerals, remembrance services and award ceremonies to local and national competitions.

Clare Leach said: "We sang in the cold, in the heat, in the sun, wind and rain.

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"For events like Wrabfest, Sea Festival, Sea Shanty Festival, Illuminate, we have basically done it all, the glamourous, the spectacular and amazing, we have done the important, fun and the silly ones too.

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"All are equally important to us as we love singing."

The choir is always looking for new talents and is open to all.

Although Covid lockdowns hit the choir, classes were continued online and Clare made sure that she was working with all singers to keep them connected and supported and ready for possibilities that may occur after lockdown.

She was able to carry on digitally, thanks to HollyVision Digital Productions, which edited videos of the at-home digital films that Clare had created.

A quote from the first year of the pandemic: "To say that it has been a challenging year is an understatement, but do we look back on this year with a heavy heart and sadness? Yes and no.

"Yes, like every other business out there, the arts industry has taken a major battering.

"We've missed so many opportunities and highlights like our concerts and amazing events.

"For most of the year, we missed seeing our singing friends face to face, sitting side by side in our classes and missed the fun and laughter that creating a song together brings. 

"But, if you actually look back and reflect on what we have done and managed to achieve in 2020 digitally, despite the difficulties, we have a lot to be happy about too.

"I have been overwhelmed by the kind words and support of my Harwich Sing Tendring Voices friends - without them having my back and their kind words of encouragement boosting me along, there simply would be no HSTV in 2021. 

"I would not have survived, it really is as simple as that.

"I don't have any words that would show how much they all mean to me - I will never forget their kindness."

Harwich Sing Tendring Voices is now celebrating its 10-year-anniversary with a special concert called 'Double digits'.

Clare added: "Our goal is simply to enjoy music, the happiness and emotions that music brings to everyone. 

"The concert promises to make you smile, laugh, cry and feel uplifted.

"It will be an emotional rollercoaster in celebration of ten years of singing together."

To book tickets for the special 10-year-anniversary, on September 10, go to princestheatre.co.uk.