SOLIHULL’S St Alphege Choir played its own part in celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday after the BBC made a special visit to film the singers in action.
Film crews from BBC Breakfast made the trip to St Alphege prior to Her Majesty’s 90th birthday celebrations after the choir was selected to be part of a short film which summarised what parish choirs are doing to mark the momentous occasion.
The choir, which practises on a weekly basis and has members ranging from eight to 80, gathered where BBC royal correspondent Sarah Campbell interviewed choristers Michael Palmer and Katherine.
Parishoners Barbara Chambers and Cathie Hale also spoke on camera about why the Queen is so important to them and what she has done for England.
The BBC first contacted St Alphege after choir and music administrator Isabel Baumber first got in touch with the producers when seeing a post on social networking site Facebook appealing for local parish choirs to come forward.
Isabel added: “We saw the BBC were looking for a parish group choir to celebrate the Queen’s 90th so we thought why not get involved.
“We were incredibly lucky to be chosen as plenty of other choirs expressed an interest in taking part.
“The BBC’s royal correspondent Sarah Campbell came along and filmed us all practising – it was certainly something different for all of us.”
Isabel expressed her thanks to borough schools for allowing the younger members time of school.
The short film was shown four times on BBC Breakfast and also on BBC One news at midday.
Isabel said: “We had to do the filming during the day so I’m very thankful to all the schools our members attend in letting them have the time off.
“Everyone gets on so incredibly well at the choir and we have boys as young as eight and men as old as 80 join us on a weekly basis.
“They all practise once a week and we have plenty of stuff to look forward to as we’ll be travelling to the Notre Dame next month to perform.
“We thoroughly enjoyed being part of what was a national celebration and pleased it came across on TV so well.”
