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A Celebration Of Choir Singing, Community And Friendship – As UK Soul Choirs Host Delayed Tenth Anniversary Concert In Blackheath

A decade of community singing celebrated

After two years of delays due to covid, UK Soul Choirs are proud to present their celebratory 10th (+2) Anniversary concert “10 Years of Soul” this April.

From the humble beginnings of a single choir in Greenwich with just 4 members, twelve years ago, the choirs have recently opened their eighth branch in Tonbridge, Kent.

The concert will see all the choirs in London and Kent come together for a ten years of soul spectacular, bringing together people from all different walks of life – accompanied by a live band and guest performances from the professional singers of BBC’s smash hit Strictly Come Dancing.

“I am thrilled to be singing with the UK Soul Choirs at this exciting celebration of music and local community – exactly what we all need in our lives after such a challenging time” said

Hayley Sanderson – Vocalist on Strictly Come Dancing, who will be joining the choirs for the glittering performance.

Founder, professional singer and vocal coach Abi Gilchrist, along with her co-director husband – composer, and musician Ross Power, oversee and manage their thriving, happy business, which continues to grow, bringing joy, community, friendship and belonging to those who join – and which kept many people going throughout lockdown when they temporarily moved their choirs online.

Over lockdown 2021, the choir even raised a staggering eleven thousand pounds for national charity Mind by creating a music video with choir members performing and singing in their own homes.

Mental health support is something that the couple feel strongly about – and they are keen to highlight the power that music and singing holds within it. Although not a mental health choir, it is an integral ethos in UK Soul Choir’s mission.

Despite the hold the pandemic took on the world, the choir team managed to maintain the choir by devising ‘HomeSing’; an online resource allowing subscribers to continue singing but, most importantly, still connect with what they and members lovingly call their ‘Choir Family’.

And now, on April 9th in the stunning surroundings of the recently renovated Blackheath Halls, the choirs get to showcase all their hard work, with two hours of rip-roaring soul music.

What started with a spark of an idea over a decade ago from Ross and Abi, UK Soul Choirs have become something they are incredibly proud of and which has proved how immense the power of community singing has been to their 280 + members.

Commenting on this significant performance, Abi says, “It’s not just about the singing. It’s an uplifting feeling. We feel it in our choirs every week, so to bring this back on to a main stage at last, with all the choirs singing as one, well, I think I will need some tissues. It’s been a tough time, but together, we have made it through – and our community choirs have got us here. It’s going to be an amazing night”. 

About UK Soul Choirs

8 Branches in:

London: Hither Green SE12 and Greenwich SE10

East Kent: Whitstable and Canterbury

Mid Kent: Rochester and Maidstone

Tonbridge

  • Non audition choir
  • Open to everyone
  • No experience needed
  • Ages range from 20 -70

Highlights:

  • UK Soul Choirs opened the main stage of On Blackheath festival and Dreamland Margate’s Camp Bestival party
  • Created an 130 choir member strong ‘virtual’ performance raising over £11,000 for Mind – Watch here: #keepthefaith https://youtu.be/32xOmG8tahE
  • Performed with Lemar, Jocelyn Brown, Imaani and many other artists.
  • Enjoyed sell out shows at the Underbelly Festival, Southbank, Camden’s Electric Ballroom and The Troxy.
  • Won ‘Kent Choir of the Year 2018’
  • Raised thousands of pounds for national and local charities through donating profits made from public performances

  • Company Name: UK Soul Choirs
  • Contact Name: Abi Gilchrist
  • Contact Email: sing@soulchoirs.com
  • Contact Number: 07703767055
  • Website Address: http://www.soulchoirs.com

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