Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir perform for MPs

The women of the Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir yesterday performed for a gathering of MPs at Portcullis House, London, opposite the House of Commons. Their audience included The Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond and MP for Devizes Claire Perry who had invited the choir to sing at the special event.
Speaking to the British Army’s website, Perry said: “Salisbury Plain is the beating heart of the British Army. I love my constituency and I firmly believe the wives and partners of our soldiers are the unsung backbone of our forces. I am really keen to help and promote these ladies, and today was just a small sign of our appreciation.”
The choir performed a number of pieces from their repertoire including the Christmas number one Wherever You Are originally performed by the Military Wives Choirs of Chivenor Barracks and to Royal Citadel, Plymouth as featured in Gareth Malone‘s BBC One series, The Choir. You can hear part of their Portcullis House performance below on the Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir YouTube channel:
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Earlier this month, the choir sung for the Queen at Salisbury Cathedral during her Diamond Jubilee visit to the city. Some of the women have also been selected to record their vocals for the special Jubilee song, currently being written by Take That’s Gary Barlow, as well as perform in June’s Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace.
There are now more than 40 Military Wives choirs across the UK and, after a series of auditions, several singers from Salisbury Plain were lucky enough to make it through.
Kate Mason is a music teacher who sings Alto in the choir. Having taught piano to Netheravon Primary and Durrington Juniors for eight years, she is now the main pianist for the group.
The choir’s success, along with the rise of the Military Wives movement across the country, has sent Kate and her fellow choristers onto opportunities they never dreamed of.
“Walking through the doors at Abbey Road Studios was something special,” she said. “I didn’t expect to get chosen. It was very exciting and a nice surprise.
“The whole experience was surreal, but we all felt a great deal of responsibility as we were representing all the choirs in the video.
As a music teacher it did seem strange being the one getting taught, but being taught by Gary Barlow was very special.”
Musicroom Salisbury are big supporters of the Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir, and are the group’s suppliers of songbooks, sheet music and music resources.
Discover the music of Paul Mealor and the Military Wives Choir at musicroom.com, including Wherever You Are, today.
Choir masters and music leaders can take advantage of our 10% educator’s discount as well as our great deals on choral sheet music multi-packs.
Are you a fan of the Military Wives and resurgent UK choir movement? Have they inspired you to join or start a group of your own?