Countdown to Peace
Everyone Sang – From Remembrance to Hope
Saturday 10 November 2018
A moving concert on the eve of the centenary of the WW1 Armistice featuring the soaring harmonies of four local choirs.
White Doves, Songways, Akabella and Sing Alive choirs performed songs of remembrance, hope and peace to a capacity audience in the beautiful Holy Trinity Church, Bradford on Avon. The concert featured the premiere of Everyone Sang, a setting of Siegfried Sassoonʼs poem, specially written for the event by Dave King, performed by Akabella and White Doves with violin soloist Moira Alabaster. The four choir leaders – Jane Harris, Sian Penlington, Lisa Otter-Barry and Dave King – also performed as a quartet, singing the moving hymn, Only Remembered.
Beautiful and poignant music – it was a truly memorable afternoon
The sense of communal participation in the event was wonderful
Thank you all for bringing the Countdown to Peace programme to a close in such a lovely manner. The choirs, individually and combined, sang so beautifully, and every one of our capacity audience clearly loved the occasion.
This event was part of the Bradford on Avon Countdown to Peace programme, a series of events which together raised £5,000 for SSAFA and the Royal British Legion.
About the choirs
White Doves have entertained audiences in the UK and Europe with their heart-felt repertoire of songs, sacred and secular, on themes of love, peace and global harmony. The choir was founded by Sian Penlington to promote peace through music.
Songways is a thriving community choir led by Jane Harris, singing vibrant songs from a range of harmony traditions: uplifting, powerful songs that go straight to the heart, and songs that bring us to a deep sense of stillness and peace.
Akabella, directed by Lisa Otter-Barry and Dave King, have been active in Bradford on Avon for 25 years. This accomplished choir sing a sparkling mix of music from many traditions.
Sing Alive is a flourishing community choir led by Sian Penlington. Now in their 10th anniversary year the choir sing a joyful blend of songs from around the world.