It's been a tough time for choirs who have not been able to rehearse in person since March.

Teddington Choral Society however have been making the best of the situation.

With over a 100 members and an age range of 65 years the group have not been able to meet for their weekly rehearsals.

Chair Rebecca Clarke told Nub News how the group has dealt with the pandemic.

She said: "We did consider Zoom rehearsals - but they can be very frustrating as they are one way and you can't sing along.

"So we launched our first virtual project in April and we are about to complete our seventh.

"Using Youtube Premiere we have edited a concert that we are all going to watch together on Saturday."

Community spirit is at the heart of the society and as well as singing live the group is a very social one.

Rebecca added: "We wanted to make sure we maintained our community spirit over lockdown.

"Some of our members were shielding so it was important that they felt involved."

The group usually rehearse at St Catherine's School in Twickenham and are optimistic of a return to rehearsing in the next few months.

Rebecca said: "Our rehearsal space is huge so we're hoping of having up to 30 singers able to rehearse with one another, then clean the space and have another 30 rehearse afterwards.

"Realistically we won't have any liver performances until 2021. It's just not possible with the size of our choir and then adding an audience."

"We're desperately looking forward to getting back to signing."

While the government's arts grant was welcomed it currently only applies to professional groups and no clarification has been given on the future of amateur arts societies.

With plenty of choral societies in South West London alone it is important that these groups also receive financial help.

To find out more about Teddington Choral Society click HERE