Women from Greater Manchester were invited to come together to form a multi-faith choir with the aim to learn a repertoire of songs, prayers and chants from across different faith groups.
Their first major performance was at The Bridgewater Hall Manchester, celebrating the works of the late Sir John Tavener alongside the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Pakistan’s acclaimed Sufi singer Abida Parveen and internationally-renowned cellist Steven Isserlis.
Four years on, Sacred Sounds Women’s Choir has built a network of over 100 women, with an active membership of 50 choir members who meet regularly to rehearse and perform. Led by Artistic Director Beth Allen, this unique choir brings together a diverse group of women who are committed to:
• Building and promoting relationships of compassion and appreciation across race, language, culture and religion
• Helping to remove barriers of prejudice and ignorance which divide people from each other through song and silence
• Working towards personal growth, spiritual awareness and practice through song and silence
The choir has developed a strong reputation across the UK through performances, recitals and their engagement work with local communities. As well as performing an extensive repertoire of faith material, the choir is also becoming known for the more creatively ambitious projects they are choosing to undertake enabling them to experiment with unusual and alternative ways of using the voice.
Sacred Sounds Women’s Choir formed in 2013 as part of the MIF Creative programme for the fourth Manchester International Festival.
Photo credit: Ray Chan