The CBSO family, including the CBSO Chorus, Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorus, serve communities across the West Midlands, and have launched the initiative as a way of thanking the NHS heroes working tirelessly at this time.

Tickets will be made available for selected future concerts at venues including Birmingham Symphony Hall and Town Hall and the CBSO Centre, with up to 5,000 tickets set aside. NHS workers can register their interest on the CBSO website. Full details of available concerts will be announced at a later date.

To mark the announcement, members of the CBSO Chorus have released a video performing Somewhere Over the Rainbow from their homes. The CBSO Chorus is one of the world’s great choirs – with nearly 200 voluntary members who come together to sing symphonic choral music. Around 10% of the Chorus members themselves work for the NHS.

Chorus member Dr Helen Chamberlain says: “In normal times an evening of singing is my favourite way to unwind from a busy day in the hospital. The CBSO Chorus is like another family where we share fabulous musical experiences – and a few drinks from time to time! At the moment the NHS is another family too – one that I am seeing a lot of. I am looking forward to many things when this crisis lessens, one of which is the joy of singing with my friends again.”

Chorus member Dr Louise Davis says: “Singing with the CBSO Chorus and being amongst supportive friends who all share the same intense love of music can make a difficult day disappear. We focus on singing, on creating the notes, nothing else, and the worries and stress evaporate. I often leave rehearsals full of joy, laughing and smiling and as refreshed as if I had just had a really good sleep!”