Uniting communities through the power of music

KCCF was delighted to attend choral performances at two iconic London venues this month. Both events highlighted the power of music to unite and heal, showcasing diverse cultures and the resilience of the human spirit.

Sing for Freedom Choir

At St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, we enjoyed performances by the Sing for Freedom Choir and the London Arab Band. The event was produced by Together Productions, a ground-breaking social change organization dedicated to bridging social and cultural divides.

Established by Together Productions – a KCCF small grantee, the Sing for Freedom Choir is an inspirational group of torture survivors and their friends, singing together in the spirit of joy and hope, standing in solidarity with all those who are oppressed. They were accompanied by the London Arab Band, part of the London Arab Orchestra, which aims to promote Arab musical culture worldwide.

The performance commenced with a classical Arabic poetic verse, which was both rhythmic and soothing, setting a serene tone for the concert. This was followed by the Sing for Freedom Choir, whose repertoire included a traditional Jewish hymn.

The singing was interspersed with poignant testimonies from choir members, who shared how the Sing for Freedom Choir had embraced them during times of hopelessness, providing a sense of community and healing.

Armonico Consort

At the Royal Albert Hall, we witnessed a spectacular performance by 2,500 young singers from 60 choirs across the UK, including a world premiere by young musicians with Special Education Needs, who have all been trained by Armonico Consort (AC) – a critically acclaimed choir and instrumental ensemble. This music charity is renowned for inspiring audiences through passionate performances, providing imaginative singing opportunities for young people and helping people living with dementia through the power of music.

KCCF has supported Armonico Consort since 2020 by sponsoring a young scholar who also joined our team at Their Majesties coronation service last year. KCCF support has enabled a talented young musician to access opportunities which may otherwise not have been accessible to develop personally and professionally through music lessons, personal development and performance opportunities.

The KCCF AC Scholar has received free specialist singing lessons with Elizabeth Atkinson, mentoring from AC Founder and Director – Christopher Monks, regular rehearsals and performances with the main AC choir and masterclasses with Elin Manahan Thomas and Roderick Williams who sang at our Founder’s Coronation. She has also sung in 12 concerts with the professional choir including Monteverdi Vespers of 1610, Vivaldi Gloria (with the scholars, including a solo), backing singing with ‘The Kings Singers’ and Carols by candlelight (including a solo).

KCCF is proud to support initiatives that foster social change and cultural understanding through the arts.

Learn more about the extraordinary work of Together Productions and Armonico Consort.