Aled Jones to host Salvation Army's premier choir anniversary concert

published on 6 Mar 2020

Salvation Army Choir

The Salvation Army’s premier choir the International Staff Songsters is celebrating its 40th birthday with a landmark concert hosted by classical singer and broadcaster Aled Jones MBE.

The popular TV and radio presenter will be joined by current and former members of the choir on Saturday 7 March at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon – the same venue that launched the Songsters’ musical ministry 40 years ago.

The International Staff Songsters (ISS) are at the forefront of Salvation Army music in the UK and around the world. They reach thousands of people every year through festivals, worship services, choral workshops, concert performances and radio broadcasts, and via downloads and social media.Extra seats have been released for the concert, A Choral Symphony: Celebrating 40 years of The International Staff Songsters.

Aled says: “I’m delighted to be helping the 40th anniversary celebrations of this amazing choir that is part of the wonderful musical legacy of The Salvation Army. As well as providing practical help to people who are homeless and in need, The Salvation Army is renowned for taking music beyond the church walls and out on to the streets.

“This is going to be a magnificent evening. I’m a firm believer that we have the greatest choral tradition here in the UK and there is nothing as exhilarating as people coming together to raise their voices in song, whether it’s a hymn or Christmas carol. ”

The concert will include four new choral works by Salvation Army composers that will be accompanied by the London Mozart Players who are the resident orchestra at Fairfield Halls.

Called ‘Songsters’ by The Salvation Army, each of the 36 members is also active in their local Salvation Army church and choral group. Despite living in different parts of England they meet weekly for rehearsal at the UK and Ireland headquarters for the Christian church and charity in central London.

Once a month from September to June, the Songsters hold a festival and lead Christian worship at Salvation Army centres across the UK. Widely travelled internationally, this year the ISS are visiting the USA and Canada from 3-13 April to share the Easter story.

The choir regularly records its repertoire which includes music by artists such as Eric Whitacre, John Rutter and Mark Hayes as well as Salvation Army composers. Profits from recordings and performances support the work of The Salvation Army.

The International Staff Songsters are conducted by Dorothy Nancekievill.

She said: "Forty years is a wonderful milestone to rejoice in and thank God for. Our reason for existing, since our founding, is to sing the heart songs of The Salvation Army, whether the songs are new or from our rich musical legacy. We are grateful for the opportunities we continue to reach so many people through the words and music that we sing.

“Singing in a choir is known to be hugely beneficial for mental health and well-being. There’s a sense of belonging and being part of something bigger than yourself, which enriches you in so many ways. This feeling is magnified even more when singing in a church choir and there’s no greater gift than to sing words and music that encourage, bless and inspire.

The concert starts at 7pm and is preceded from 4pm by free performances in the foyer of Fairfield Halls by a Salvation Army youth choir and Songsters from Croydon Citadel Salvation Army.

More information

For more information contact the PR & Communications Office:

020 3657 7555, pr@salvationarmy.org.uk

People can purchase the newly released extra tickets for the anniversary concert from the Fairfield Halls website.

Find out more about the International Staff Songsters at:

https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/iss

Facebook @InternationalStaffSongsters

YouTube channel c/InternationalStaffSongsters

 

International Staff Songsters

The International Staff Songsters (ISS) is at the forefront of Salvation Army vocal music making in the UK and around the world.

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