One Very Special Gospel Choir

On Thursday 17 November, the Alleyn’s Soul Choir went to Kingsdale School to take part in a Gospel workshop day with other members of the Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership (SSLP).

Miss Wynter, Alleyn’s Head of Music Outreach and Soul Choir lead said:

“To have 200 students from nine different schools singing all together is quite a feat and perhaps something that seemed so unlikely even just a year ago.

“There was a real buzz in the air and a feeling of pure excitement. Within the first five minutes, the students were instructed to mix up and introduce themselves to each other, and it was from that moment we became one very special choir.”

The day started with some warm-ups, led by Miss Wynter and Head of Vocal Studies at Dulwich College, Dan Ludford Thomas. The pupils learnt about posture and breathing and vocal techniques that apply specifically to Gospel singing. They then handed over to Daniel Cecile from St Michaels Catholic College, who led the workshop with huge swathes of energy. It was the perfect cocktail for a ‘feel good’ day.

Year 9 Alleyn’s pupil, Daniel, was selected to do a solo in Love Rains Down on Me, which was a huge achievement. The music venue at Kingsdale, which is not dissimilar to a professional music venue, was filled to the rafters with the authentic sounds of a real-life Gospel choir and, at times, it was spell-bounding.

The students also learnt Believer, which uses the same lyrics to Amazing Grace but is set to a different tune. Later in the day, two sixth form music students from Kingsdale School came to play in the band to accompany the songs, which lifted spirits even higher.

The afternoon performances of the two songs were recorded and they will be available on the SSLP website.

Miss Wynter said:

“We are hoping to make this an annual event, with the next workshop being Musicals Day! With thanks to Peter Gritton from JAGS for organising the logistics and for Soul Choir for throwing themselves into the day with real enthusiasm. It was such a pleasure to be part of and a memory that will live with us all forever.”