Some Voices choir goes virtual and raises £3k for CALM

When social distancing started in March 2020, Some Voices choir suspended in-person rehearsals and postponed our Spring performance at London’s Clapham Grand. But rather than locking down our creativity and community, we embraced an online experience by creating Some Virtual Voices.

Our Spring performance was due to raise funds for our member nominated charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), just as our December show had raised £6K for Prince’s Trust. CALM’s work is more vital now than ever, so we wanted to find a way to raise money for them, whilst giving our members and creative team something positive to focus on.

Through our online rehearsals on YouTube, members practising and recording themselves from home, and our expert editing team, we created a virtual performance.

SOCIAL DISTANT SING, the ultimate lockdown music video, is a 6-minute visual and audio celebration of friendship and overcoming isolation through music.

We premiered SOCIAL DISTANT SING on Weds 6th May on YouTube, with 1000 free tickets reserved.  Optional donations for CALM with tickets totalled £2000, with an extra £1000 raised through a raffle, quiz and donations throughout the premiere.

Musical Director, Laura Howe said:

“As a choir, our power is a community of voices singing together to give confidence and enjoyment through sharing. So, although we have learned and recorded these songs in isolation, we have come together virtually to create a shared experience and a connection where for a short time, we don’t feel alone.”  

In this time of isolation, virtual members have found rehearsals a valuable way to bring joy and fun into their days, whilst staying in touch with their talents and friends. One former choir member, Emma Stubbs, who now joins online from France said:

“I cannot find the words to express how INCREDIBLE it feels to be part of the Some Voices community again, even remotely. I am truly grateful for everything you’re doing to keep us entertained, joyful and making us feel ALIVE in this peculiar context.”

Members like Emma have been sharing their stories on social media using #choiragainstlivingmiserably.

Some Virtual Voices will return for our Summer Term on Weds 18th May, working towards a new virtual performance entitled ALL HUMAN for release in July. Find out more here.

About CALM

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide — offering lifesaving services, provoking national conversation and bringing people together to empower everyone to reject living miserably and stand together against suicide.

On average, 125 people in the UK take their own lives every week, with 75% of all suicides in the UK being male. CALM runs a free and anonymous helpline and webchat service from 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year. CALM currently takes around 12,000 calls and webchats every month.

For more information, visit: https://www.thecalmzone.net/

Some Voices sing at the Brit Awards with Mastercard

This week, Some Voices choir teamed up with Brits sponsors Mastercard to celebrate the 40th Brit Awards show, by turning the everyday into the everyYAY…

First of all, our bright and fabulous singers surprised Monday commuters with their original take on Basement Jaxx’s Do Your Thing:

On Tuesday 18th February, Some Voices choir were there to serenade the audience making their way into London’s 02 Arena for the Brit Awards 2020. We had the whole of North Greenwich Station grooving!

Finally, we surprised all the Brit award winners with personalised congratulatory videos with Mastercard on Twitter. Lewis Capaldi, Billie Eilish, Tyler the Creator, Foals, Dave, Stormzy and Mabel all got the Some Voices special treatment!

We had so much fun being part of the Brit Awards 40th Show – happy birthday Brits and thank you to Mastercard, together we did #startsomethingpriceless.  

Sold-out success Romeo and Juliet with live choir returns

After 6 years of sold out London performances, Backyard Cinema’s Romeo and Juliet featuring Some Voices choir is back for Summer 2020.

Elevating cinema taken to a whole new level, Baz Luhrmann’s much-loved 1996 film of Shakespeare’s tragic love story is screened in the perfect setting of the beautiful Union Chapel, Islington. Lit by atmospheric stained-glass windows and candles, the audience enjoy the movie on the big screen, seated on church pews. As if that wasn’t enough, Backyard Cinema add the ultimate extra – a live choir.

Bringing the soundtrack to life, Some Voices choir perform breath-taking versions of iconic tracks including Young Hearts Run Free, Kissing You and Everybody’s Free. Get a preview here:

Tickets are selling out fast for a limited run in May 2020, so don’t miss out on your chance to catch this unforgettable event. Book here: https://romeoandjuliet.seetickets.com/event/backyard-cinema-s-romeo-juliet/union-chapel/1486472

Praise for Backyard Cinema’s Romeo + Juliet featuring Some Voices choir

New Newcastle choir ready to rock in January 2020

After taking London by storm and growing to nearly 1,000 members, Some Voices are launching our first choir outside the capital in the buzzing city of Newcastle - and we can’t wait.

Rehearsals start on Tuesday 28th January 2020, 19:00 at Blackfriars @ Ouseburn and will be led by director Lea Cornthwaite known for his work with Opera North, ENO, Glyndebourne and Mind & Soul choir amongst others:

“I’m super excited to be bringing the fun vibes, great songs and exciting gigs that make up Some Voices to Tyneside. Joined with the unique spirit & energy of the North East, it’s going to be amazing!” Lea

This non-traditional choir is inclusive to all. There are no auditions, no previous experience is required and songs are learned by ear so there is no need to read music.

Each 10-week term ends with a final performance where the choir perform songs from an eclectic mix of pop, rock, folk, hip-hop, Motown and more. Each term, choir member select a charity to raise money towards, with the London December 19 show raising over £6k for youth charity The Prince’s Trust .

Musical Director and Founder, Laura Howe, is originally from Newcastle so it was the perfect choice for the choir’s new city home:

“Singing together is a great way to make friends in a big city and de-stress at the end of a busy working day. We are all about raising the roof by belting out tunes with spirit and soul, so I know Newcastle and the North East is going to be where it is at!” Laura

Some Voices are known for putting an original spin on well-known songs, with all arrangements created specially for the choir by musical directors Laura Howe - a vocal artist, choral director and composer for TV and theatre including The Southbank Centre, The 02 and many more, and Curtis Stansfield - a multi-instrumental session musician & composer who is Mika’s Musical Director and has recorded with the likes of Paolo Nutini and Natasha Bedingfield.

Some Voices have performed in a range of events from BBC’s Friday Night is Music Night , The Big Feastival , Backyard Cinema’s Romeo and Juliet , The Mighty Hoopla and many more.

Sign up for a free two-week trial here.

Some Voices raise £6k for Prince’s Trust with help of Andi Peters and Pat Sharp

In December 2019, Some Voices went back to the 90’s in style! We hit the iconic stage at London’s Troxy with three nights of soul-shaking nostalgia and some very familiar faces, all in aid of the Prince’s Trust youth charity.

Hosted by 90’s TV legends Andi Peters and Pat Sharp, our Top of Your Pops Christmas Special took the audience on a trip to a TV studio of the past. With battles raging over Christmas number 1, between girl and boy bands, and between ‘Fresh Prince’ rappers, this was no ordinary choir Christmas concert. Classic tunes from Blur to Britney, Meatloaf to The Spice Girls were performed by 500 singers and a live band in an unforgettable performance that left the crowd dancing and screaming for more.

Every term, Some Voices choir members choose a charity to support, and in Winter 2019 we chose youth charity The Prince’s Trust. The trust helps vulnerable young people who are unemployed or struggling at school to get their lives on track. Thanks to our generous audience and our choir members who also hosted a 90s quiz, we raised £6058.58 for the Prince’s Trust. We were also lucky enough to hear from young people whose lives have been transformed by being supported by the trust and we thank them for sharing their stories. Find out more about The Prince’s Trust.

Some Voices feature on BBC One #xmaslife advert

BBC One’s #XmasLife Christmas advert debuted on TV on 1 December 2019, a fast-paced mix of animation and live action featuring BBC stars including Graham Norton. The soundtrack is a re-recording of Gorillaz’s Feel Good Inc by members of Some Voices, produced by Native Music Soho.

The theme of the advert is all about living your best “Xmas life” whether by indulging in gingerbread, staying in pyjamas all day, avoiding political chats or binge-watching TV. The BBC Creative team wanted the music to be uplifting and joyous, and who better to provide a fun, choral rendition of a classic track than Some Voices. So one night in November, over 70 choir members lead by Lea Cornthwaite got together at Native Music Soho to record the track.

Helen Rhodes, executive creative director of BBC Creative, said:

"Christmas doesn’t officially start until BBC One release their Christmas campaign, so we hope we’ve done the nation proud with a film that shakes off the shackles of 2019 and embraces our favourite time of the year."

Some Voices’ Gorillaz cover from the advert was popular with BBC One Breakfast Show host Greg James who played it several times:

“The very talented Some Voices - love that!”

Watch and listen to more Some Voices performances in our gallery.