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ARCHIVED - Murcia and Alicante Spangles Chorus goes from strength to strength despite pandemic
The Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus has a lot planned for 2022...
Spangles singing at Peaky Blinders in Los Urrutias
Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus has coped well with whatever this pandemic has thrown at them.
“The past two years have been unprecedented but we’re a very supportive team that’s great at facing challenges and coming out on top”, said Chorus Manager, Lyn Baines. “2021 was no exception!”
In 2020 the Chorus turned a negative into a positive by recruiting ‘virtual’ members who, together with existing members, were coached individually by Musical Director, Valerie Lynch. Once restrictions were lifted, and following strict safety guidelines, the chorus were able to meet again to practice in person, adapting to each new regulation as it came along.
The Christmas season is always busy for the chorus, and they were disappointed to miss out on so much in 2020, so it was exciting to dust off the Christmas music in 2021 and prepare in earnest. It proved to be one of the busiest seasons so far, singing at new venues around the Mar Menor in Los Alcázares, Los Urrutias and San Javier, plus Cabo Roig, Balsicas and Playa Flamenca.
“Our feet didn’t touch the ground during December and we loved every minute of it”, Valerie remarked.
In 2021 the chorus ran two retreats, one in June and one in September, with new and existing members receiving vocal coaching, heavily mixed with a lot of fun. November saw them enjoy their first Thanksgiving Dinner (postponed from 2020), thanks to their American MD, Valerie. Their second Burns Night, planned for January 22, is already totally sold out.
What does 2022 hold for Spangles?
Other events are planned during 2022 and the chorus is optimistic these will go ahead.
“We have had to adapt to an ever-changing scenario in this pandemic and we have learned to take one day at a time, but it’s good to make plans for the future so we keep moving forward”, said Valerie.
Since its inception in December 2004, Spangles has always supported local charities and 2021/2022 sees this tradition continuing, singing for MABS at Christmas and planned fund-raising events for Cruz Azul Murcia on February 9 and for Barrington on February 17.
“Barrington has been a great supporter of Spangles and local charities for many years, so we are extremely happy to be able to pay it back now that he and his family need it”, said Lyn Baines.
Their excellent fundraising team is also continuously working hard to support the chorus in its 2022 plans.
During 2021, Spangles welcomed 10 new members, boosting their membership to 33, with a new recruitment campaign in action now for January 2022.
Image: Gary Beaudin
Address
Las Claras Centre, Calle Helena, Los Narejos, Los Alcazares, 30710Tel: 693 017 617
Spangles are based in Los Alcázares
Spangles are a Ladies’ Barbershop Harmony Chorus. They meet at the Las Claras Centre in Los Narejos, Los Alcázares, Murcia every Thursday, from 10.30am to 1.00pm.
Spangles was formed in December 2004 and is still going strong. They are always happy to welcome new members, so why not go along and see if you would like to join them?
Spangles are three times Gold Medal Barbershop Chorus Champions of Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands. They sing four part harmony and they are all passionate about what they do. They are founder members of the Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers (SABS).
Please call Chorus Manager Lyn to find out more about Spangles, or go to their website or Facebook page (details above).
