Singing for our lives

Aim

Record and share the stories of members of street choirs in the UK, their inspirations and what singing means to them.

There are some amazing, inspirational choirs singing on the streets all over the UK! We know, because we keep hearing snippets of people's stories during the annual Street Choirs Festivals. Now we want to record those stories to inspire others to sing and be active in their communities!

We are street choir members from Campaign Choirs Network and we believe it is important to learn more about other street choir members, their inspirations and what singing means to them.

We want to do this by conducting interviews with more than 40 members of at least ten choirs. We will gather stories which reveal why people sing, how they chose a choir, which songs and practices of singing inspire them, and why choirs take to the streets. How do they imagine the future and the part singing can play in bringing about peaceful, just and sustainable alternatives.?

The main result of the project will be the production of the book ‘Singing for Our Lives: Stories from the Street Choirs’ illustrated with pictures and song lyrics. If we can raise enough funds we also want to produce a short film ‘Street Choirs: stories, songs and social change’ and a compilation of ‘Songs from the Street Choirs’. Looking to the future, the University of Leicester will support developing space on the Campaign Choirs website for the ongoing collection and updating of stories, well beyond this first modest project. 

The power of song is immense! We are passionate about singing as a means of communication and, through this project, believe we can help inspire others to sing and engage with their communities and the wider world.

Please support this project, visit our website with much more information, including messages from some of the amazing artists who support the project - and don't forget to sing! 

This project closed unsuccessfully on 27th August 2015