Equinox: Cultures in Harmony

The project started about a year ago by four members of City of Birmingham Choir. The aim was to bring 6 choirs together, each choir representing one of the six main cultures in Birmingham (English, Polish, Afro Carribean, Chineese, Asian and Indian) and perform their own pieces in a Symphony Hall Concert. As well as this, in the second half of the concert all choirs will combine together in performing a brand new work written especially for the project with the theme being ‘Equinox’ due to that theme having links to all the cultures.

Last Year involved the project group making contact with the various choirs. This year the choirs are preparing their individual pieces and later on this year will be rehearsing the new work.

Our project has captured the interest of all communities who are all looking forward to participating with each other. All the performers are aware that this is a unique project that has not been done before. It will break new ground in bringing together choirs who sing in different languages and styles but have one common interest which is the love of singing.

Due to the number of groups being involved (approximately 300 performers) we are hoping for a large amount of interest firstly just within each groups audiences and communities. Linked to the groups are radio stations, media companies, active websites, large mailing lists all of which will be used in catalysing interesting as well as an advertising campaign run by the prject group. The project has also had interest from the Cultural Olympiad and is hope to have their official stamp of approval this year.

This event totally encompasses Artsfest’s aims. It will bring communities, cultures, choirs together. It will be creative in the way a top local composer will be writing for them and in the early stages moulding them together and it will highlight this unique concert that will be taking place next year which the public will be hopefully be interested in.