It’s reaching the end of the performing year for the choirs of KTB Music, and that means one thing: six hours of carol singing at Booths, Longton! It’s a great chance to pick up your sprouts, hear some live music, and help to raise money for a great charity – all at the same time.
“Six hours!” I hear you yelp. “How? Why?” Well, I’ll be honest: there’s only a handful of brave people who do the whole six hours (and I am so impressed by their stamina). The rest of us pick a two hour slot and pull on those (now very familiar) jumpers and sparkly headbands, all in the name of raising money for a great cause. This year, we were collecting on behalf of St Catherine’s Hospice, to help fund their incredibly important, compassionate work.
It’s genuinely a lot of fun. What really makes it special for me is the audience interaction. We had people singing along, dancing while pushing their trollies, and even some spontaneous applause. We felt so welcomed by all the shoppers and staff.
It’s also a great chance to sneakily learn a few things in a musical sense as it’s inevitable that there will be repeats. Never heard the descant before? Listen closely the first time, and join in when the song rolls back around in the set. Try singing a different part for a change. Finally get your brain round that really wordy line. That might just be my little confession, and I may get a long-suffering sigh from the Musical Powers That Be Around Here, but there it is.
We were absolutely gratefully delighted by the weight of the buckets when 5pm rolled around: everyone was so very generous and we cannot express our thanks enough. We are so thankful for everyone who stopped to say hi, shared a grin, gave us lovely comments, and who donated. You were so full of true, unrestrained holiday magic. From all at KTB Music: we wish everyone all the best for the festive season and the New Year to come!
Written by Becky Fowler and Aeryn Isherwood