Am Dram Star of the Week Carina Whiting of the Compton Care Choir to perform at fundraising event, Music in the Park, at Baggeridge Country Park.

But of course, hospices do rely heavily on donations and this is where our Am Dram Star this Week comes in, together with her fellow members of the Compton Care Choir.

Carina Whiting is the choir’s musical director and at the moment they are busy working on their latest fundraising event, Music in the Park which takes place on June 30 at Baggeridge Country Park.

I ask Carina how she became involved with the choir.

“I began my music career after joining a pop band in the 1990’s,” Carina told me. “I trained in music education and became assistant director of Music at Tettenhall College, before joining Newbridge Prep School as music director.

“In January 2017, Compton Hospice Choir approached me to ask if I would take on the role of their Music Director,” she says.

“I wanted to be involved as soon as I heard their ethos and how important music was to the choir members, lifting their spirits and enjoying the process of making music together.”

The choir rehearses every Monday evening at Christ Church in Tettenhall Wood, working towards two main events per year, as well as a variety of smaller performances.

I ask Carina how she went about choosing music for the choir.

“We ask choir members to suggest their favourite pieces and the arrange them for the group. It is always good to include a variety of genres. At Music in the Park, we will be performing Moon River, and Abba medley from Mamma Mia and music from Les Misérables,” Carina says.

“I love being on stage. My main instrument is piano, but I also play flute, saxophone, recorder, guitar, drums and the didgeridoo.

“We performed at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre last year in a huge fundraising concert for Compton Care,” she says. “I have also played supporting roles in Cameron Macintosh touring productions of Whistle Down the Wind and Witness for the Prosecution, but my favourite role was as second earthquake victim in Evita!” she laughs.

Catch Carina and her choir in action on June 30th at Music in the Park. It is a free event at the bandstand in Baggeridge Country Park from 3pm onwards. Audience members are invited to bring a picnic too!

l For more information, visit togoout.uk/dudley/baggeridge-country-park/music-in-the-park?7u58urlo92