The London Virtual Carer Festival

The London Virtual Carer Festival, run by London’s Directors of Adults Social Services (ADASS), celebrated the role of Carers in the Capital. Last year was a hit and so this year, the festival was held. The focus of the festival is to celebrate and congratulate London’s Carers with a fun packed event of comedy, music, art and dance whilst also delivering thought-provoking stories and dementia-friendly virtual walks.

The programme included a range of activities including Zumba with Zoe, a live performance by St Michael & All Angels Steel Orchestra, Vocal Eclipse and Soul Symphony Choir (both award winning groups), a range of comedy acts and two thought provoking films ‘I still feel guilty’, an honest look at the feelings of guilt felt by a Carer followed by ‘What do you do with a diagnosis of dementia?’ a video diary of “Grandma” who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

August

Soul Symphony Choir and friends were excited to make virtual choir videos. Please watch our videos and subscribe to our channel. In times like these, we all need hope, encouragement and someone to stand by our side, albeit virtually during this unprecedented time.

Beautiful Day https://youtu.be/oeMz8nGZfag

Jesus Promised https://youtu.be/JXA8TXacO0o

Though it was not the same as being in a sea of voices or feeling the energy of that human frisson, the virtual choir performances offered educational benefits and pitfalls; yet we were still singing together. It was an experience that has its own independent merit that we appreciated.

‘Nothing can replace the pleasure of singing in a circle surrounded by friends but in these challenging times it’s great to keep ‘meeting up’ and seeing each other’s faces and singing songs that keep our spirits up’.

We’d like to extend our thanks to everyone who are showing kindness and providing support to those in need. Soul Symphony Choir hopes that these songs bring you some much needed love, inspiration and thankfulness at this difficult time.

West Norwood Stay Home Feast

The 3rd West Norwood Feast, named ‘#StayHomeFeast’, July 5th, was packed with information about the favourite Traders – including exclusive special offers – along with a great entertainment schedule and activities for kids.  Wonderful food traders with heaps of temptingly tasty food to an online flower arranging workshop with Rebecca Mays, a local florist. Lots of lovely Feast traders offered a range of fantastic craft and vintage items. There were lots of family-filled fun activities. Soul Symphony Choir were honoured to be invited to participate at the Feast again.

‘This is a wonderful choir that have performed for Feast - some great gospel sounds.  Hoping they can come and sing for us live in the coming months!’ Graham Brown, Organiser

The aim of the West Norwood Feast is to increase the sense of community in West Norwood and to get people shopping locally in the brilliant range of high street shops. Now more than ever our local high streets and small traders need our support.

As usual, there was a packed schedule of Feast DJs on 3 radio stations; DJ Luke P and DJ Gags  at Yellow Submarine, DJ Glen Falconer at RamJamRadio and Out of the Wood kept us listening all day. Other artists included Orquesta Estelar and local hip-hop/spoken word artist Gideon Mention.

HEALING THROUGH MUSIC

On May 15th, Judy Collins, a Grammy Award Winning Singer and Songwriter, put a call out for contributors to the Global Virtual Choir which attracted submissions from professional and amateur singers around the world. Soul Symphony Choir was contacted directly and excited to support the cause. The moving video features over 1000 singers, including the likes of Alan Cumming, Judith Owen, Steve Earle, Madeleine Peyroux; and choirs like The Sixteen and the New York Choral Society. This beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace” reinforces the song’s unifying sentiment – a sentiment even more poignant now than it was when Collins originally released the track fifty years ago. Judy Collins said,

“Amazing Grace was written by John Newton in 1772, a man who evolved from a slave ship captain to the writer of powerful hymns, and changed his entire life, becoming a model for spiritual transformation… That’s what we need today once again. Stay safe, help others and pray. We will survive this with love and music and amazing grace.”

Judy Collins created a rich and bold masterpiece by joining her voice with choirs from different countries, including South Africa, India, Luxembourg and the United States. Collins sees the collaborative “Amazing Grace” project as a way for people to break the isolation of lockdown during the pandemic. ‘Amazing Grace’ has become a source of comfort during these unprecedented times. Proceeds from the song will be donated to the World Health Organization's Solidarity Response Fund.

Check us out in the Judy Collins and The Global Virtual Choir - Amazing Grace video

https://youtu.be/Oav8CkGpcwA

Open Mic Serenade

From singing, reading poetry to playing the cello. This was truly a lovely night, 21 April. We were serenaded by a line-up of good acts from choir, family and friends. For some, it was their first step into the world of gigging, whilst others tried out new material. Thanks to everyone who attended and entertained us. We created some memorable moments; a wonderful and fun addition to our weekly gathering.

Love a good dress-up!

FUN, FUN, Dress-up Fun! We had a hilarious session, expressing lots of humour in our zoom sing-a-long session, 7 April. From unicorn crowns and wigs, to hats, kilts and colourful costumes. We wanted to make the session more memorable.

We shared our spice and sparkle to keep us smiling and to feel invigorated for the week ahead. Another brilliant bonding moment. It was certainly a fun, adventurous and unique way to spend the evening that we will repeat in the future.

Healing Service

Lovely’, ‘so moving’, ‘we’d love you to participate in every service’, were positive comments shared about the singing from the Soul Symphony group. Through the song ‘Healing’, written by Richard Smallwood, we wanted to encourage other people who might be going through pain that God is a healer - soul and spirit. Several dozen parishioners and visitors participated in a healing mass, 7 March 2020, with each given sacramental anointing by Fr Roy. 

This was followed by a celebration. There was a scrumptious afternoon tea, with foot-tapping musical entertainment provided by the Choir. Fr Roy stated ‘You’ll be getting another invitation to return’. ‘I felt the joy and passion shared and that it made such a wonderful difference. Very uplifting’, Deacon Philip Pond stated ‘. Definitely an afternoon to remember and cherish.

OUTSTANDING!!!!

Soul Symphony Choir took part in the Coulsdon & Purley Festival, 6 March 2020, at Sanderstead United Reformed Church. From the choir’s encouraging huddle in our warm-up, to our passionate and exciting performance, we were determined for our presentation to uplift the audience.

The choir performed two vastly different songs to show our range and capabilities.  Starting with ‘Fix You,’ arranged by Mark De-Lisser and finishing with ‘Jesus Promised,’ from the Chicago Mass Choir, we dynamically showed our love for what we do and the positive impact singing make in peoples’ lives.

Alison Pearce, the adjudicator, felt that the choir’s performance of Fix You gave “a lovely ensemble sound that was full of feeling, and with very clear diction.” She also commented that the music flowed beautifully with the choir showing excellent control, “gradually bringing the warmth of vocal colour forward together.” Jesus Promised was a “splendid contrast in style with energetic and exciting rhythmic structure.” The choir received the mark of 93/100 and the highest possible grading of ‘Outstanding’.

 We are very grateful to our families and supporters for their encouragement of what we do. So we are inviting you to join us, 25 April 2020, at the prize giving ceremony attended by Chris Philp, MP, to be awarded The Addiscombe Shield for taking first place in this class of the festival. Let’s continue to share music that inspires positive change.

Celebrating Again!

On 22nd November a 25 strong contingent of Soul Symphony Choristers met at Holy Trinity Church in Wallington to take part in the Open Class Challenge section of the Sutton Music Festival. This festival takes place over a number of weekends and has a huge range of classes.

The songs chosen to portray the range of the choir's harmonics were 'Melodies From Heaven' by Kirk Franklin and 'Total Praise' by Richard Smallwood. These two songs were well suited to the acoustics within a church. The judge, Neil Jenkins, said that the singing was warm, spiritual and devotional and that we honoured the vision of the songwriter. He was impressed by the range we covered in Melodies from Heaven, especially from the Soul Symphony men. He likened the harmonies and tones within Total Praise to a moist Madeira cake, as they were rich and delicious. He positively commented on the diversity within the choir and this came out in the rich musical layers in each part of the song. The choir plans to implement a suggestion on how our visual performance can be improved as the togetherness would enhance the performance further!

We hold on to our title 'award-winning choir'! Thank you to everyone who supports us. Jessica Craik, one of the Festival Organisers, had great pleasure in presenting Soul Symphony Choir with the Open Challenge shield for coming first.

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day

Today (10 October) is World Mental Health Day. It is the day to spread awareness and talk about it. Mental health and emotion well being is as important as good physical health. There’s a stigma attached to mental health problems, people feel uncomfortable and don’t talk about them much.

According to research singing in groups is very beneficial for your mental well being. Singing helps your confidence, value, and sense of belonging. It also builds strong bonds in the community. Choir singing can have substantial benefits in aiding the recovery of people with a history of serious mental health problems.

Working with different choirs every day I have noticed how much improvement singing together brings to me and the people around me. Spending just a few hours together and singing our hearts out I can see people's mood lift, forget their daily problems and just be free for a few moments during the day. There is no better feeling than to watch someone come stressed and leave dancing and smiling. Every week beautiful life long-lasting friendships and even families are built in our choir.

Soul Symphony choir is joining World Mental Health Day, we are trying to encourage everyone around us to be more open and share their problems. We joined thousands of schools, offices, companies and community groups wearing yellow and a green bow to raise vital funds for YoungMinds.

Come join us and see for yourself. Let's build a stronger and healthier community together

Choir Festival

Come and enjoy Soul Symphony Choir’s third annual choir festival! It will be spectacular evening of inspirational music!

GET YOUR EARLY BIRD TICKETS http://bit.ly/2Rft86x
Ticket sales from this choir festival will go to the Croydon Youth Zone ‘Legacy’ that will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of young people. Join with us to support Legacy Youth Zone and demonstrate genuine commitment to the issues affecting our communities.

Soul Symphony Choir is an award-winning community choir from South Croydon led by Joanne Miller. Soul Symphony Choir are committed to encouraging unity, love, and respect among all people through the arts.

We are joined by amazing acts from all over London:

Achim Mime Group come from from Hyland House School they were featured in the Luv Gospel 2017 festival, North London, along with headliners Denise Wint and Israel Allen.

Croydon Church Choir, who recently restarted, have lots of love and joy to share with their community and beyond.

Harrow Community Gospel Choir is directed by CeCelia Wickham-Anderson a member of the internationally acclaimed acapella group Black Voices. They sing a mixture of contemporary gospel songs and spirituals.

The B.I.G choir were the finalists in BBC Songs of Praise. They have also performed in the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and have also internationally in Italy and Sweden.

Work In Progress quartet, members of Green Street Blues Ladies Acapella Chorus, were winners of Best Female Quartet at the Surrey Fringe Quartet Competition, March 2017 and stars of the Bromley Music Festival, Ladies Category, March 2019

Thank you in advance for your generosity to make this work possible, to make a lasting difference, and inspire 1000’s of young people.

The Garden Party, July 13th

Come and enjoy a great Summer evening at The Garden Party hosted by St Barnabas Church, Purley, with great entertainment by award-winning Soul Symphony Choir. All are welcome. Bring your friends, bring your family!

For tickets ring Jock or Lesley Miler 07768240279 02086607090

See you there!

Spring Concert 2019

From the bright orange and white outfits to the absolutely breath-taking singing, the whole performance exuded an unfettered exuberance in the theme of praise and moving forward despite life's challenges.

Reggae style Holy Is The Lord, Swahili Asante Sana and Latin Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant us peace) opened our celebration concert. Our softly-sung harmonies on Say a little prayer backed the soloists Chardine and Lulu well. Even the more contemplative items such as 'Do it', 'From now on' and No longer a Slave by Deborah Akinlawson were sung in a gutsy manner, which only served to add to their poignancy. Gary and Giles accompanied each song with their pizzazz. Our music definitely came from the heart.


'Your choir was amazing. A lovely evening and some of those voices... WOW. An interesting mix of people with a tangible bond of friendship', audience member

'You were amazing last night. I was so moved by some of the songs. From Now On brought tears to my eyes' Val

'oooo... shivers - you lot sound awesome' Gemma

Poems from Margaret Richards, Stella Moynihan, and Leo Ugwu were inspirational and engaging. They encouraged us to carry on in the most adverse circumstances. The special atmosphere continued to prevail, as the audience were encouraged to join in with Ain't No Stopping Us Now. We finished with the beautiful and moving rendition of Total Praise.

Thanks again to our volunteers - Aiste, Ernest, Gaius, Gabriella-Rose, and Val, and our extended family and friends who continue to faithfully support us.

Soul Symphony triumphs again!

The Choir participated in Croydon Performing Arts Festival 2019 and won the Gospel category.

Jeffrey Davies, adjudicator for the Choral Section said, "Ladies and gentlemen in orange... what a wonderful concert this was, it really was! This was a really impressive example of gospel feel. It had that emotional impact the whole way through. Asante Sana - lovely African opening. Super communicative faces were as I expected and your movement was just enough to let the song do the work. Holy is the Lord - fantastic soloist, Theresa. The gospel feel was authentic throughout. Total praise - lovely start. Lovely, lovely crescendo to 'You are the source of my strength' - wonderful! The long amen was very artistically judged and spread out.

What I like about this choir is that usually gospel choirs think they are individuals and it's their individual message - you don't do that. You all are really aware of the other singers and you are aware of what is going on around you."

Spring performance at the Hub, Mind in Croydon

Soul Symphony Choir has a beautiful tradition to visit people at the Hub, Mind in Croydon, nearly every term. The Hub supports people to understand and manage their mental and physical health issues. It also provides a safe place for people who are lonely and isolated to meet and socialize.

Soul Symphony Choir continue to share their joyous positive messages, encouraging everyone to keep holding to hope and have faith. It was the first concert for our newest member Lizzie and here is what she had to say:

The performance at the Hub, Mind in Croydon was my first outing as part of the Soul Symphony Choir. I was slightly apprehensive going into it, but the rest of the choir made me feel so confident and supported me throughout. The audience were very receptive and welcoming both before and during our performance. I loved that the audience could join in and sing along as part of the choir; it makes for an interactive and fun time. It felt so rewarding to see a group of people light up the room and create such a happy atmosphere. I would love to continue doing more performances like this, for the community.

Being part of this choir has helped me gain confidence and I really feel like part of the group. I love everyone's positivity and how wonderful everyone's attitudes are. If you are having a challenging day or week, you always know that you have a rehearsal to look forward to with what feels like a second family. Each and every one of the members are so inspiring and I am so happy I decided to join.

Soul Symphony visited Elizabeth Court Care Home

This is one of Soul Symphony's regular gigs. The singing, poetry and our flutist Carolyn created a positive ethos which gave the residents a chance to join in.
Gigs like this bring joy to both residents and staff, as they catch and feel some of the joy we share when we sing" - Michael.

"The choir visit was lovely. Thank you so much. The customers really enjoyed it. You're welcome back anytime."Sue, Manager.

Soul Symphony in the press

CROYDON ADVERTISER 28th December 2018

Soul Symphony win at Beckenham Music Festival

On Saturday 24th November, Soul Symphony Choir, led by Joanne Miller, took part in the Beckenham Festival, competing against four other choirs from across Kent … and won the Festival Trophy.

Soul Symphony were entered into two separate classes within the festival, Gospel Choir and Open Community Choir and came first in both classes. In the Gospel Choir class they sang ‘Asante Sana Yesu’ a cappella and in Swahili and ‘Total Praise’ by Richard Smallwood. The festival adjudicator, Jane Wilkinson, commented that ‘Total Praise’ had “an atmospheric opening,” and the final crescendo of blended voices made the hairs rise on the backs of people’s necks. In the Community Choir class, the songs were ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay and ‘Let the Sunshine’ by Labyrinth, both arranged by Mark De-Lisser. The choir was accompanied by Giles Holland.

Jane Wilkinson also commented that Soul Symphony came across as a “truly inclusive choir.” She was impressed by “the expressive soloist and clear articulation of all participants.” She felt that the performances were “incredibly warm” and that the choir sang out with an “easy tone that is enjoyable to listen to,” along with “joy and commitment.”

Soul Symphony visited Mind Hub in Croydon

The Hub at Fairfield is an extension to Mind in Croydon’s Social Networking Service which offers support to people to understand and manage their mental and physical health issues.

The Hub also provides a safe place for people who are lonely and isolated to meet and socialise with people and a place for them to receive practical help and advice. Read more about it here: http://www.mindincroydon.org.uk/the-hub.asp

The choir has sung at the Hub many times now (over the last 4 years) and we try to visit as often as possible. We always receive a warm welcome from staff and users of the service and it feels wonderful to be able to share music, fun and laughter with such a lovely crowd.

No matter how big or small the audience the passion is always the same in our performances. Each one feels just as important to us. We welcome every member of every audience we sing for a chance to feel good despite the many challenges and difficulties they may face. It's clear to see they all feel part of our choir family! They even requested to sing 'We are family' with us on this visit - a very special moment.

Songs on this visit included Asanta Sana (Thank you Jesus), Higher and Higher,  Fix you, You've got a Friend, Love in Any Language (well done Theresa!), Take me to the King (well done Chardine!) and Trust Me to name a few- so something for everyone. It was wonderful to see both familiar faces and new and we can't wait to go back soon and share the amazing uplifting power of song again. Thanks, Mind Hub for your love, enthusiasm and support! Your enthusiasm is a beautiful thing - keep singing with us and to us!