Breathe Harmony NHS Staff Choir - Breathe

Breathe Harmony NHS Staff Choir

Our Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff choir promotes health and wellbeing through the power of singing

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 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

Frequently asked questions

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

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.

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

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

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.

Our Partners

Breathe Harmony NHS staff choir is delivered by Breathe Arts Health Research and made possible with support from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity.

By supporting our work, you're enabling us to reach more people with our creative healthcare programmes