News & Events
Following on from the two day training with Daren from Musicians Without Borders we ran 4 workshops across Newham Libraries and Community Groups. Chante Faucher led an all comers workshop at Stratford Library, assisted by 2 young artists. Brendon led a breathing and stretching warm up to help participants to come into the space and prepare their bodies for some gentle singing. Charlie supported the lead artist, Chante by accompanying some of the activity on guitar. The feedback was highly positive and participants were asking if this could be a regular workshop! We will have to see where the funding for this might come from! Mohan Dhar led a workshop …
CME, London 2023 is a cornerstone of professional development in Living Song’s calendar. This year once again, the faculty took us on a journey of personal and professional development like no other. David Brunner our guest conductor and composer from the USA worked along side Mandy Miller to immerse us in best practice through a broad range of repertoire, score study, rehearsal preparation, voice and conducting practicums. We introduced new composers, including Brandon Williams and Lea Morris and immersed ourselves in some choral classics from the likes of Eric Whitacre J.S. Bach and of course, David Brunner himself! Our delegation was made up of highly experienced practitioners, …
This was once again a fantastic evening with SES, celebrating 10 years since the choir began at Stratford East. Our associate artist, Byron Gold programmed a compelling, moving and dynamic evening of music, which had the audience on their feet by half way through. The energy, harmonies and solo’s of the singers could not help to lift spirits far and wide and we are thrilled that our association with the choir meant that our Young Artist, Richie Ekila played a major part in the concert, singing tenor and singing lead for two songs. Congratulations to Byron, SES and Richie. …
We are over the moon to hear so many hundreds and thousands of children across the UK singing our song MESSAGE. The 02 Arena has been buzzing with the sound of a wonderful range of songs for the children to sing, including a medley of traditional folk songs, a Don’t Worry Mashup, Moving On Up and Proud, sung with Heather Small herself. And right there in the middle of the Programme was MESSAGE collaboratively written during a Living Song project funded by PRSF. The writers; Errollyn Wallen, Shammi Pithia, Amina Gichinga, Naomi Scarlett, Mohan Dhar, Stefan Vitalis and Jane Wheeler were all invited to the VIP evening at the 02 Arena and were thrilled to …
We are very excited to learn that Lambeth Music has doubled the number of secondary schools that will take part in Lambeth Sings this academic year. This is not only due to the success of our end of year event at Southbank Centre last summer, but also as a result of the fantastic Come and Sing Day in November, created by Southbank Centre and Lambeth Music Service. Five Lambeth secondary schools attended the day, which brought together a number of wonderful artists, including Aga Serugo-Lugo, Osnat Schmool, Randolph Matthews and Nathan Davonte. The young people from across Lambeth Schools …
We have a new offer as part of our Singing for Mental Health and Well Being programme. Find My Voice is aimed at primary schools, in particular Key Stage 2 children who are still struggling with the impact of Covid 19 and the energy crisis and finding it challenging to return to regular school activities. For a subsidised rate, we can offer up to six workshops after school, drawing on our training with Musicians Without Borders and our artistic team’s broader experience. Through singing and musical activity, children will be gently encouraged to participate in fun, safe singing games to rebuild their confidence and engage them …
On 24th and 25th November 2022 lead trainer Darren Abrahams from Musicians Without Borders. (MwB) took four professional and ten young artists on a practical journey of discovery based on principles and practices of MwB. Trainees learned about the impact of trauma on our bodies and minds and explored how music making, especially singing in community can help healing. Through skilled activities and approaches a safe space for workshop participants and therapy groups to express themselves can be created, and they can begin to experience integration back into their lives again. Participants received certification for their participation in this empowering two-day …
Living Song has been awarded a grant from Newham Council to lead this project. COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our residents’ lives, including many mental health and wellbeing challenges.The long-term impact of trauma, anxiety, grief and distress, as well as the current financial pressures faced by thousands of Newham residents due to the rising cost of living, are likely to increase mental health and wellbeing concerns. We will work with an experienced trainer from Musicians Without Borders. to provide two full days of training and development around Singing for Mental Health and Well Being for Artists and young people aged 16 …
Prof. David L. Brunner USA Mandy MillerUK Aga Serugo Lugo UK We are thrilled to have finalised our faculty for CME 2023, plus a contribution from Musicians Without Borders. Our Choral Music Teacher Education Course in East London is set for the weekend of 17th – 19th February 2023. This is the last weekend of half term. Having consulted with teachers we hope that it will be easier for our regular participants to attend and for new delegates to discover the wonders of CME, London. Click here to register. Course Includes Course Dates 2023 Cost £480 Standard inclusive fee Fri 17th – Sun 19th Feb (Incl. Thurs for ATs)Early …
The Living Song team of artists, young artists and trainers have all expressed their joy at being part of the programme and final singing event for SING LAMBETH at the end of July. In spite of all the challenges of heat waves, rail strikes and Covid, Lambeth Academy and the London Nautical School still managed to attend the day at Southbank Centre. Other participating schools in the programme had been able to enjoy school-based workshops and singing resources for their students throughout the year and we look forward to seeing them for phase two 2022-23. Accompanied by young musicians …
