More than 100 singers gathered for Soul Soundings in Wells Cathedral and Chapter House on Saturday 28 January 2023: a special participatory singing event led by Jane Harris, Director of Songways. Singers came from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Bath, Birmingham, Swansea and London as well as Wells and the surrounding area.
Comments from singers
An absolutely amazing evening.
Wonderful ethereal sound of singing echoing though the cathedral
Wonderful experience in a beautiful sacred space, led so skilfully
Love the sound, the space, the sense of connection
Uplifting and inspiring
A magical evening bathing in harmonies in a beautiful space
Absolutely magical
Beautiful songs expertly crafted in a beautiful place – wonderful evening
We began the evening gathered in the open Nave, filling the cathedral with sound and listening to the amazing harmonics created in the soaring space. Jane then taught Sing Hosanna, a simple melody composed specially for the event, which we sang from end to end of the Nave, interweaving our voices as we walked towards each other. This was followed by Shine on me, a powerful gospel song arranged by Tony Backhouse from Sydney, with fabulous harmonies. After a break we moved to the Chapter House, gradually filling it with an ethereal soundscape, with singers immersed in the group sound. Jane’s song In beauty may I stand was the final song of the evening, first in the Chapter House and then ending gathered around a pool of candlelight back in the Nave.
Join us for the next Soul Soundings…
WELLS CATHEDRAL | Friday 26 January 2024 | 7:30 – 9:30pm
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- Singing end to end of the magnificent Wells Cathedral
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- Gathered in the Nave, filling the space with harmony
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- The close of the evening
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- Soul Soundings is led by Jane Harris, Director of Songways
Images by Dave Pegg
Use of the Cathedral was by kind permission of the Chapter of Wells Cathedral
A donation was made from the proceeds to FareShare South West, the region’s largest food redistribution charity. They take good quality surplus food from the food industry and deliver it to more than 400 charities across the South West. Last year they provided enough food for five million meals.
Jane Harris is an experienced choir leader and Director of Songways, based in Bath. Jane teaches by ear and loves to explore songs in different ways to enrich and deepen the singing experience. She has a clear, inclusive and enabling teaching style, uncovers the best in singers’ voices and draws people together with heartfelt, resonant singing.
Jane has a rich, vibrant voice and has released an album of her own songs, inspired by the natural world – One touch of nature. Jane also performs with her own vocal group, Rolling Harmony.