Choir leader from Black Country handed an MBE for services to music and charity
A singing coach and choir leader originally from the Black Country has hit the right note after being handed an MBE in recognition of her work.
Elaine Buckland, from Wednesfield, has raised around £100,000 with help from choirs she has helped establish in Wales and Wolverhampton.
She is the musical director of the Wednesfield-based Counterpoint Choirs and of the Llanfair Caereinion-based choir The Castle Belles among others.
It has led her to be rewarded with an MBE for her work in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, but she stressed every member deserved to be honoured.
The 55-year-old, who has spent the last 30 years in the industry, said the accolade was down to the vital people who came forward to help raise vital funds.
She said: "The people in Wolverhampton have raised thousands and thousands over the years and they deserve recognition as well.
"You can only raise all the money we have done if you have family members and friends of those involved buying tickets and I'm forever grateful to them.
"And I'm very humbled at being given this incredible award really. I've been awarded it because of the sheer amount of shows for charity – we did around 36 charity events last year and we've had some events this year online as well."
Teenage Cancer Trust, Kidney Research, Seasons Theatre Company and Steve Bull's Promise Dream are among some organisations to have received funding.
Elaine, who moved to Llanfair Caereinion around 15 years ago, found out she was receiving an MBE earlier this year – but initially thought it was a joke.
Her 84-year-old mother had been hospitalised – and put on an ICU ward – due to having Covid-19, with Ms Buckland fearing she wouldn't pull through.
Elaine said: "I had this number call me and I thought it was a joke and I said I'm dealing with this [her mother being in hospital] at the moment.
"There were like 'this isn't a joke' and that they would wring back. I spoke to my brother who said it sounded too bizarre to be a lie and then I found out – and thankfully my mother pulled through."
"I was put forward by someone for it and there's only a tiny percentage who get one. It's been really wonderful and it's down to everyone even though I've got it."
Ms Buckland has previously worked as the musical director at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton and now teaches at the University of Wolverhampton.
