Last Autumn, Grand Central decided to try something new: a short-term, pop-up charity chorus. The result was Lionheart Chorus — a six-week project designed to welcome new singers, support a good cause, and finish with a single concert before coming to a clear close.

With a significant recruitment effort, Lionheart Chorus grew into a group of over 50 men. About 40 were newcomers to a cappella singing, joined by around 12 members of Grand Central who sang alongside them as supporters. The mix worked well, creating a friendly, encouraging atmosphere giving new singers the confidence to rehearse and perform as part of a large chorus.

Over the six weeks, the project raised around £8,000 for the British Heart Foundation through individual JustGiving pages. The final show, Hearts in Harmony, was a real success, featuring Grand Central and The 1234 quartet alongside Lionheart Chorus.

As intended, Lionheart Chorus ended after the concert. However, one of the most positive outcomes is that around 18 singers have chosen to continue by coming along to Grand Central rehearsals as prospective members. Lionheart provided a low-pressure way to discover that singing in a chorus was something they wanted to pursue further.

Lionheart Chorus has now finished, but it achieved exactly what it set out to do: raising considerable funds for charity and introducing a significant number of singers to Grand Central. It was an enjoyable and worthwhile project, and one that has left a very positive legacy.