Yes, it was great and inspiring viewing; but there was nothing much said about the financial aspects of a project like this. Most choirs have a conductor who is either a volunteer with a paid day-job (in which case he can probably only spare one evneing a week, or a semi-professional who is paid some sort of allowance, probably raised from choir members by means of weekly or termly fees. The hiring of premises for rehearsals and concerts, the services of an accompanist or an orchestra for concerts - they all cost money, and it usually comes from choir members. This works fine in a reasonably wealthy area, but would be less likely to work in a deprived area. South Oxhey was given the full-time commitment of one person just to promote and develop choirs and singing - that's a great luxury, which simply isn't available in most communities. Even if we could clone Gareth, someone would have to find a way to provide an income for all the new choir leaders.

I'm not saying this couldn't or shouldn't happen, but we need to be aware that it's not just a matter of finding dedicated and capable people. We need political/educational committment to music and singing, and a recognition that this cost money. It's recognised far more in sport, and I'd like to see music given the same sort of status in our communities.