Sing for Life to create "musical magic" in Nottingham this March

For the past few months, Sing for Life Nottingham has been uniting women of all diversities, ages, and abilities to form a singing group which will culminate in a spectacular live performance at the stunning Albert Hall concert venue in Nottingham.  

Sing for Life Nottingham was open to everyone, from those who sing with the shampoo bottle in the shower or belts out a tune while driving, to the queen of karaoke.  

The project is being led by pianist and singer-songwriter Philippa Steel, as musical director. Philippa is being supported by a creative team led by Howard Lloyd and Ian Watts, who have a wealth of experience in musical projects of this nature after running the singing group Nottingham Men Allowed in 2024 and 2025 – raising a staggering £45,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. Howard is secretary of this new project and Ian is overall creative director. Together – through their shared love of music – they hope to recreate the success of the previous singing project.  

Philippa said: “I went along to the previous project and was lucky enough to see the process. It was such a powerful experience, so we started talking about doing it again but with upper voices.”  

Howard added: “The Nottingham Men Allowed group developed a real sense of camaraderie and sense of purpose. They all became great friends.”  

A series of ‘meet and greets’ have been taking place over the last few weeks to introduce group members who signed up. People were invited along to have an informal voice test with Philippa and have a relaxed singing back and forth to see where they were best placed within the group.  

Howard, whose grandmother had breast cancer, noted that the diversity of the group was important:

“The group was open to anybody with an upper voice who fancied having a go at challenging themselves at singing for a really good cause. From people who have zero experience, zero knowledge, and zero confidence – to people that have sung for years, read music, and have loads of confidence.”  

Each person who joined the group has been given professional learning tracks and some music to take away and easily practice at home.  

Ian said: “Each person has a part. You listen to that part, and it won't make much sense on its own but you learn it and then turn up to the first rehearsal and somebody else has learned a different part. It then all comes together in that first rehearsal. You can see people looking around the room and are wondering, ‘how on earth is this working?’ It’s some kind of musical magic!”  

Several people involved in Nottingham Men Allowed have been quick to volunteer again after finding out who the beneficiary would be this time.  

Howard stressed that the cause was important to many of the preiovious singers:

"When we announced it to the male singing group, and asked for help with this project, we had two people step forward straight away as both their wives were being treated for breast cancer. It immediately touches people and gives that extra motivation to help.”  

Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst women in the UK, with over 55,000 women diagnosed each year, but at least 30% of cases are preventable. Breast Cancer UK works to prevent breast cancer through education, scientific research, collaboration, and policy change.  

Sadly, not all cases are preventable. But studies have shown that making changes to your lifestyle can reduce your chances of getting breast cancer significantly. The charity uses the latest academic research on breast cancer prevention to provide guidance on how to reduce your risk.  

There will be just six rehearsals at a venue in Nottingham ahead of the concert at the 700-capacity Albert Hall on the evening of Sunday 29th March 2026. The group will learn six different pieces of music from classical, contemporary classical, modern classical and show music, all the way through to pop.  

Howard added: “It might seem a short space of time but nearly every person got through it over the last two years, they all turn up wondering, ‘What on earth is going to happen?’ And they just achieve it within a very short time. And it's such a powerful thing for people to be part of. And I’m so looking forward to it.”   

Each person taking part in the project will have a JustGiving page and be encouraged to seek sponsorship from friends and family. Every week as the concert approaches, the total will be tallied up and celebrated, giving those taking part a reminder of how their commitment and hard work is making a real difference to people’s lives.   

To make a donation to the project visit their JustGiving page here. The event is taking place on 29th March at Nottingham’s Albert Hall. For more information visit the Sing For Life website here.