On the 1st of December, Merton Music Foundation will be launching #LetTheBellsRingOut, an inspiring musical Advent calendar which promises to lift your spirits in the run-up to a rather different Christmas.
Every day, up until Christmas Eve, a link on the MMF website (www.mmf.org.uk/advent) will open a virtual door to reveal a video from Merton’s wider musical community. This smorgasbord of 24 performances includes professional, amateur, youth and school groups either based in, or with strong links to the borough. Amongst the videos, which have been curated by MMF and mostly filmed during the pandemic, are the Sonoro Chamber Choir, London Vocal Project, Let Freedom Swing Project Band, Blues and Roots Ensemble, The Kenny Wheeler Project, the Central Band of the Royal British Legion, Wimbledon Choral Society featuring Roderick Williams, Wimbledon Community Chorus and Merton Music Foundation’s Music Centre groups.
As MMF’s Programmes Director, Soo Bishop, explains “Not only is this a chance to celebrate the tremendous local talent we have on our doorstep, but it also shows how music in Merton is thriving, despite the many challenges posed by Covid-19. There are literally hundreds of singers and musicians of all ages from every corner of the borough who are missing out on their usual live performances like end-of-year concerts and carol-singing. We hope that #LetTheBellsRingOut can help restore a little musical joy to the festive season.”
Merton Music Foundation is well-known throughout the borough thanks mainly to almost 30 years of engagement with thousands of local children through music lessons, bands and ensembles and their flagship ‘Music is for Life’ concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Whilst many of MMF’s musical activities have been online this year, the team has worked closely with Merton schools to ensure a Covid-safe environment for many in-person lessons to resume and plans are in place to welcome students back to their popular Music Centre when it’s safe to do so in the New Year.
To find out more about Merton Music Foundation visit: www.mmf.org.uk and click here to read their Wimblecomm Spotlight.
