Berkhamsted street band pays tribute to NHS

A Berkhamsted street band performed 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' for the NHS's 72nd birthday on Sunday.

The Greenway social distancing band was set up by Nyree O’Brien, the Head of Dacorum Music School, for the children in her street who are all Hertfordshire Music Service students and attend Dacorum Music School.

The multi-generational band is comprised of families from Greenway in Berkhamsted ranging in age from five years upwards.

Parents dusted off instruments to play alongside their children in the band which was formed at the beginning of lockdown to celebrate carers on a Thursday evening.

Each week they took it in turns to select uplifting songs, practicing once a week at a safe distance behind a row of garages.

Nyree said: “When the band performs in the street, the music reverberates around the local area, amplified by the stillness of lockdown.

"Neighbours are drawn to the sound, residents gather to listen and enjoy the music, and children make new friendships while building confidence and self-esteem."

Their performances for VE Day were covered as far afield as the New York Times, thanks to a journalist neighbour who publicised their show.

They have also entered a photo of the band in the National Gallery’s Hold Still project, after one of the members, a professional photographer, captured the players in action.

To see more of their performances, visit their Twitter account - @HMSDacorum.