Men United in Song saving men’s lives one verse and chorus at a time

On Saturday,  May 25 over 400 men – most of whom have never sung before – will raise their voices together at an extraordinary charity event supporting Prostate Cancer UK.

Taking place at Nottingham’s Albert Hall, the event will mark the conclusion of a national singing project – Men United in Song – funded by Arts Council England and delivered by music education charity Peterborough Sings! and Peterborough Male Voice Choir who have mentored and supported four partner choirs - Northampton, Worcester, Radcliffe-on-Trent and Welwyn Garden City male voice choirs - through their tried-and-tested pop-up project aimed to get men singing.

Preparing and rehearsing for the event over ten weeks with their respective choirs and local music teams, brave men of all ages, from all walks of life and from diverse cultural, social and economic backgrounds, including have stepped up to the challenge and learned to sing, raising over £80,000 – and counting  – in sponsorship for Prostate Cancer UK in the process.

Each of the five regional Men United in Song project choirs have performed in their own local event at the end of the ten-week rehearsal period, before coming together for their massed joint performance on May 25, which promises to be a spectacular occasion in every sense.

Men United in Song is the brainchild of Peterborough Male Voice Choir – one of the Peterborough Sings! family of choirs – which has run the project in support of charity partner Prostate Cancer UK annually since 2014 (except in 2020 due to Covid), introducing literally hundreds of local men to the challenges, joys and benefits of group singing. They have raised many thousands of pounds in that time, vital funds to help Prostate Cancer UK deliver lifesaving research to save men’s lives.

Will Prideaux, director of Peterborough Sings! and the national Men United in Song project says: “We’re not looking for the next Gary Barlow or Alfie Boe, just ordinary men who want to come along try something new and enjoy the challenge of singing together. Everyone’s in the same boat, and it’s all about the experience and the journey.”

Group singing has well-documented and scientifically proven benefits for mental health and wellbeing, and for the men who take part, the Men United in Song project is typically an overwhelmingly positive, bonding and emotional experience which has been described as ‘life-changing’ for many participants, including those personally affected by the disease...

Andy, 64, from West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, says: "I got involved in Men United in Song because I wanted to sing as part of the group and to help raise money for a good cause, not in the least expecting to discover that I had prostate cancer myself!

"My treatment took place the morning after our local Men United in Song concert: I wore my prostate cancer t-shirt to the hospital and when they woke me after the aesthetic I sang ‘Tell My Father’ to the nurses and the consultant surgeon. Men United in Song has been an amazing experience and I’m still buzzing from a ten-week roller coaster of choir singing!"

Jonathan, 74 from Bourne, Lincolnshire, says: "Being diagnosed with prostate cancer was very much a kick in the teeth - life takes on a whole new outlook. I wouldn't be here now without Prostate Cancer UK and wanted to help the charity so their valuable work can continue. That’s why I signed up for Men United in Song.

“Being part of the project, part of a team and able to support fellow team members gave me a real sense of accomplishment and the conviction that it isn’t all doom and gloom. The journey focused my thoughts and mind to something different. Now I feel I can cope better with whatever life may chuck at me."

Harry, 66, from Nottingham, added: “Having prostate cancer can be very daunting to say the least - mentally it can be very draining. Being part of this project with good, like-minded people has helped me stay positive, get my self-confidence back and given me a real purpose.

"I thoroughly enjoy the singing and the comradeship among members of the group. Where before, people used to ask about my health, now they talk about music and Men United in Song and the fact that we are a great inspiration to so many people.”

Laura Kerby, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Prostate Cancer UK is thrilled and excited to be part of this magical musical story led by Peterborough Male Voice Choir, who are mentoring and supporting four partner choirs across the UK: Men United in Song is helping us get that message out there and helping to save men's lives. Thank you to everyone involved and everyone who has donated and we wish you the best of luck for the big performance!”

The Men United in Song National Concert will be at the Albert Hall, Nottingham on Saturday 25th May at 7pm, and more information on Peterborough Sings! and Peterborough Male Voice Choir is at www.peterboroughsings.org.uk

Location: Nottingham