MUSIC tutors in St Helens are hoping to use the power of song to lift up peoples’ spirits during the coronavirus crisis.

Residents are being encouraged by St Helens Music Service to join them every evening from the comfort of their own homes for a sing-along.

The music service is part of St Helens Council and provides a variety of music-related activities both in and out of schools across the borough.

With schools closing for the majority of pupils from today, the music service has launched a new initiative to “keep music alive in St Helens”.

Every night a song will be posted on the music service’s social media channels, accompanied by a mindfulness activity to take part in.

The songs themselves are being chosen by one of the service’s tutors – who is currently in self-isolation – and residents are being encouraged to share photos and videos signing along.

“It came about as we were thinking about how we can keep music alive in St Helens, not only for our students who will be at home but for the wider community,” said Nicola Skrzypczak, assistant head of service.

“And with one of our vocal tutors in self-isolation we have asked her to come up with a song for each day we are in this new normal.

“We plan to upload a song each evening, which will be accompanied by a mindfulness activity and all the family to take part in.

“The idea is that families take part each evening and share pictures and videos of them taking part in the activity or singing along.

“We want as many residents as possible to share our posts to ensure we get maximum reach, especially for those residents who are self-isolating or can’t get out.

“Music is for all and in this strange and uncertain time we want it to continue in St Helens.”

For now, the music service will share songs already in the public domain, such as those on YouTube.

But from next week, it is hoped that recordings of students and tutors can be shared for people to sing-along to.

The first song, a rendition of ‘True Colours’ performed by the Mountsorrel Choir for Children in Need last November, was posted on Thursday.

“It is a song which allows us to refocus our energy into making others smile,” the Facebook post said.

“During the chorus of this song the choir use British Sign Language whilst singing.

“We can all learn this amazing skill by watching this choir and the teaching this to our family and friends.

“Together we can make the world a more open place.”