Type=image;ImageID=15891;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Choir take to the stage;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=15892;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Choir take to the stage;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=15893;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Choir take to the stage;TitleClass=strong;
The choir was organised to raise awareness of dementia - the disease which afflicted Radio WM's legendary presenter Ed Doolan who died in January.
Both the Wolverhampton and Birmingham groups sang solo songs in the foyer of the city centre venue (Wolverhampton belted out the Beatles classic Help from Friends) before joining forces to sing Hakuna Matata from Disney's Lion King inside the Symphony Hall itself.
The Symphony Hall is widely regarded as one of the world's best live music venues and has played host to some of the biggest names in classical and popular music.
Former Eastenders and West End star John Partridge came along to support the Dementia Choir. John's mother passed away after suffering from the disease and he is a campaigner for more to be done to support dementia sufferers and their carers and for more research to find a cure.
The performance was featured on both Radio WM and Midlands Today.
City of Wolverhampton Council Choir is open to all council employees and is always on the lookout for new members - especially men. Practices take place every Monday at noon in the Art Gallery's Georgian Room, no prior experience of singing is necessary and there are no embarrassing auditions - just turn up. For more information contact angela.palmer@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
The City of Wolverhampton was officially granted Dementia Friendly Community status by the Alzheimer's Society in December in recognition of the efforts being made to improve services for people living with dementia, and their families and carers.
Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "Dementia is a debilitating condition which affects nearly a million people in the UK, including 3,600 in the City of Wolverhampton.
"The Dementia Choir was a wonderful way to raise awareness of the condition. It can be a very difficult subject to talk about, but the sooner people know what they are dealing with, the sooner they can feel in control again and get on with their life.
"I'd also encourage people to become a Dementia Friend - and in doing so join the two-and-a-half million Dementia Friends nationally who better understand the needs of people living with dementia and are doing their bit to help them by visiting Dementia Friends".
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- released: Wednesday 11 July, 2018