Sing The Celebration will take place on Wednesday 25 June, 7pm at Hereford Cathedral.

A showcase fundraising concert to cel­ebrate the power of sing­ing featuring Herefordshire community choirs and schools with special guests soprano Laura Wright and singers from The VOCES8 Foundation.

Encore’s Singing for Wellbeing Lead Jo Lowry presents ‘Sing The Celebration’, an evening of wonderful, heartfelt music sung by the community choirs and Herefordshire schools’ choirs Jo has set up and brought to life over the past 3 years.

‘Sing The Celebration’ is a joint fundraising event organised by Encore and Hereford Cathedral featuring around 200 primary and secondary school children, singers from the Royal National College for the Blind, Hereford Military Veterans Choir, New Days Bereavement choir, Vocalise Choir and Herefordshire Youth Schools Choir. Superstar singer and songwriter soprano Laura Wright and members of the internationally renowned VOCES8 Foundation will be joining Jo as special guests.

Jo Lowry became Singing for Wellbeing Lead at Encore in 2022. With funding from Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Arts Council England, Jo has set up a range of choirs across Herefordshire, bringing people together through a shared experience. Her strong belief in the power of music to help and support, along with her desire to make a difference in people’s lives, has been the driving force during her three years of workshops, projects and concerts.

Each choir has its own story of hope. Her involvement with the Armed Forces was the reason for starting The Hereford Military Veterans Choir, formed originally as a male voice choir with just 5 people and a pianist, but as Jo said at the very beginning, “Trust me, it will evolve!” and true to her word, it has been joined by partners and wives and now boasts over 50 members. The New Days Bereavement Choir have all had their lives touched by their involvement with St Michael’s Hospice and Jo has helped lead them on a journey of reflection. Her work with The Royal National College for the Blind is the most inclusive platform at the college, where students, volunteers and staff all sing together and have a wonderful time.  Jo’s own choir, Vocalise, has supported all these choirs on their journeys, helping them grow in confidence and find their voice.

In Jo’s own words,

“I have spent the last three years showing people that they can sing and to give them a voice and the tools to try. A space where they feel safe to have a go and to let go!  To show how much joy singing can bring alongside the health benefits which are massive.”

Laura Wright will be co-hosting the concert alongside Jo. Laura is no stranger to performing at high profile events and broadcasting live to millions of people. She has written and performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on numerous occasions, most memorably for her 90th birthday.

Laura wrote the anthem Invincible for The Invictus Games and performed it at the inaugural ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and subsequently at the official Invictus Opening Ceremonies in Florida, Toronto and Sydney. After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Laura became the first person to sing ‘God Save The King’ at a sporting event. After winning BBC Chorister of the Year at the age of 15,

Laura became one of the decade’s biggest selling artists and has released 6 studio albums and is currently writing new music.

Acclaimed vocal coach, musical director and tv presenter Mark De-Lisser has worked with all the choirs over the 3 years, giving invaluable advice and a formidable energy. The VOCES8 Foundation were brought in especially to inspire young voices from Herefordshire Secondary Schools. Their legacy will be a group of Young Leaders who will be given opportunities to further their own singing and leading ambitions.

After all the choirs have performed, the concert will end with a fantastic massed choir finale of nearly 300 singers and musicians! It’s not to be missed!

There are still some tickets remaining which can be purchased here: Sing The Celebration! | Hereford Cathedral

About Encore

Encore is a cultural organisation specialising in music and based in Herefordshire. Formed in July 2012 originally as a CIC, it became a charity in 2024.  

Encore divides its resources into 3 areas and strives to be a provider of high-quality cultural services throughout the county, with a strong emphasis on wellbeing, access and inclusion.

• Encore Music Service (pre-school, schools and colleges services)
• Encore Youth Music (out of school group music making services for children and young people)
• Encore Community Music (services for adults)

Visit their website here: www.encore-enterprises.com