Breathe Harmony NHS Staff Choir

Breathe Harmony, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS staff choir was established in 2017. It was created to help NHS staff combat stress through a creative outlet and sense of community.

Led by talented Musical Directors Mike King and Katie Rose, (who have worked with the likes of Florence and The Machine, Quincy Jones and Boy George), Breathe Harmony is a non-auditioned choir with around 30 core members.

Breathe Harmony meet weekly to rehearse, have fun and connect colleagues working across the NHS in a variety of roles, including occupational therapists, nurses, health care assistants, IT staff, medical scientists, doctors, physiotherapists and hospital volunteers.

The choir have a repertoire covering contemporary pop, soul, R&B and jazz. Songs are chosen because they are motivational and uplifting or because they spark memories or associations for members.

Breathe Harmony rehearsals

Open to Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff and official volunteers

Mondays 6-8pm - Central Hall, St Thomas' Hospital

Contact: Jo Pelly, Interim Project Manager jo@breatheahr.org

Resource hub

Breathe Harmony has performed at world-class venues such as Southbank Centre, Brunel Museum, Greenwich Theatre and St John Smith Square, alongside a number of community festivals, events and award ceremonies.

The choir has received national and international media and press coverage, including features on Sky News, CNN, BBC, Channel 4 and abc News.

In 2020, Breathe Harmony created an international recording of Mariah Carey’s Anytime You Need a Friend in partnership with MyCool Music Foundation. The virtual recording brought over 100 musicians and singers together from across the world to show their appreciation for the NHS amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was the choir’s first official single, and since then has been viewed on YouTube over 80,000 times. Choir members appeared on television globally, messages poured in on social media, and even Mariah Carey tweeted her thanks!

100%

of Breathe Harmony members report that the choir has a positive impact on their wellbeing

Media

Watch Breathe Harmony’s official 2020 NHS single ‘Anytime You Need a Friend’.

Watch Breathe Harmony's virtual performance of Coldplay's ‘Fix You’, commissioned for the HSJ Awards 2020 to support and shine a light on the NHS.

Breathe Harmony NHS choir performing at Guy’s Hospital. Photo by Richard Eaton

Hear from members of Breathe Harmony NHS staff choir.

Breathe Harmony NHS choir performing at St John Smith Square. Photo by Christopher Mariani

Album cover from Breathe Harmony's first NHS single, released in April 2020

Frequently asked questions

I don’t read music, can I still join?

Yes! We learn songs by ear, taught by our talented Musical Directors. No previous music experience is required.

My working patterns mean I can't commit to weekly rehearsals, can I still join?

Yes! Many choir members are unable to attend every rehearsal. We have a Resource Hub with song lyrics and recordings of individual singing parts, so members can still practise, even when they can’t make rehearsals.

I’m not a very confident singer, is the choir right for me?

Come along to try a session! Our choir members have different experiences of singing, anyone is welcome.

I’m an NHS staff member who doesn’t work at Guy’s and St Thomas’, can I still get involved?

We are always looking to expand our staff wellbeing programmes to other NHS Trusts, get in touch to find out more.

Do Breathe Harmony perform at events, awards or media appearances?

Yes! If you would like to make an enquiry for the choir to perform at your event, let us know. Please bear in mind when sending requests that our choir members are working NHS staff who may not be available during the day so as much notice as possible is appreciated.