Local community choir Craigmillar Voices has received £400 from the Cameron Toll Community Fund to help fund ten two-hour choir sessions at Richmond Craigmillar Church.
Originally established as part of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s residency programme, Craigmillar Voices has brought local people together through music for the past five years. Following the conclusion of the residency, choir members were keen to continue singing together and build on the friendships, confidence and sense of community the group has created.
The choir, which currently has around 25 members, meets weekly at Richmond Craigmillar Church and is now working to establish itself as an independent community group, ensuring local people can continue to enjoy the social and wellbeing benefits of singing together.
June F Jamieson, Membership Secretary of Craigmillar Voices, said: “Our choir has become an opportunity not just to enjoy music but to establish friendships, the SCO planted the seed and we are now nurturing it so it can flourish. This funding will help us continue meeting regularly as we establish ourselves as an independent community choir. We’re incredibly grateful to the Cameron Toll Community Fund for its support.”
Claire Jefcote, Centre Manager at Cameron Toll, said: “We’re delighted to support Craigmillar Voices as it embarks on an exciting new chapter. Community groups like this play an important role in bringing people together, reducing isolation and promoting wellbeing, and we’re proud that the Cameron Toll Community Fund can help ensure the music continues. We’ve already arranged to welcome the Choir into the centre near Christmas time which will be a real treat for our shoppers.”