Introducing ... Beacon Voices
Leicestershire's Children in Care Choir is called 'Beacon Voices'. This is us at Wembley Arena in March 2014 for the VIAM concert.
"It's great making friends with other people from different places in Leicestershire and getting to do experiences you wouldn't normally do, like singing in Wembley and Sheffield City Hall." Rosie, 14
We meet every two weeks at the RA Centre, Embrace Arts, Leicester. As well as learning new songs, we learn singing techniques and have fun together.
"It allows you to develop skills and things you're passionate about. Like building your confidence and working as part of a team, as well as improving our singing skills." Ashleigh and Nicola, 17 & 16
"I love singing" Jaike, 14
"We get to use our talent to the fullest and enjoy ourselves". Ellie-Mae, 9
In March 2015 we performed 'Keep Holding On' in Sheffield City Hall. We also performed at Wembley Arena in March 2014 (though not on our own!) and have sung at lots of other big events like the Celebration of Achievement Awards or Unheard Voices.
"It's good coz everyone sings and you can sing on your own if you want." Carla, 14
We're really friendly, lots of the members didn't know anyone in choir before they joined!
"It's good meeting new people and having fun and time out of your foster placement. And we sometimes get to choose our own music!" Alison, 17
Performances we've done
We're building up quite a repetoire, here's what we've sung and where:
June 2015
LSMS Summer Festival, Vocal-Ease Concert, De Montfort Hall
Adiemus (Karl Jenkins)
Si njay njay njay (trad. Zulu)
Somewhere Only We Know (Keane)
Yenamanoa (trad. Gaelic)
Bird of Peace (Andrew Atkins)
Best Day of My Life (American Authors)
March 2015
Voice in a Million, massed concert, Sheffield City Hall
Keep Holding On (Avril Lavigne) - as a Beacon Voices only performance.
With massed choir, too many to mention, but included:
Let Me Go (Gary Barlow)
Wake Me Up (Aviici, arr. Gareth Malone)
Don't You Worry Child (Swedish House Mafia)
Never Forget (Take That)
Let it Go (Idina Menzel, Frozen)
January 2015
Celebration of Achievement Awards, Loughborough University Student's Union
Sound of Music Medley (Rogers & Hammerstein)
Count on Me (Bruno Mars)
December 2014
Concert at local nursing home
Various Christmas songs and carols
November 2014
Bosworth Country Park, Music Video recording
Keep Holding On (Avril Lavigne)
October 2014
Achievement for All National Conference, Southbank Centre, London
Sing (Gary Barlow, Andrew Lloyd Webber)
Let it Go (Idina Menzel, Frozen)
All of Me (John Legend) - also performed for the Leicester Mercury online
September 2014
Bridging the Years, County Inter-generational Event, Brockington College
California Dreamin' (Mamas & Papas)
What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
Supercalifragilistic (from Mary Poppins)
June 2014
Unheard Voices, County Hall
Keep Holding On (Avril Lavigne) with sign language
Perfect (P!nk)
March 2014
Voice in a Million, Wembley Arena
Too many to mention, but on stage ...
Happy (Pharell Williams)
Jai Ho! (A.R. Rahman and the Pusscat Dolls)
I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas)
Whereever I go (Miley Cyrus) - this was also sung for the Leicester Mercury and featured on their website.
March 2014
International Women's Day Event, County Hall
Firework (Katy Perry)
Wherever I go (Miley Cyrus)
January 2014
Room 1, Loughborough University Students Union
When I Grow Up (Tim Minchin, RSC's Matilda)
Someone Like You (Adele)
Price Tag (Jessie J)
December 2013
Century Theatre, Snibston Discovery Park
Stille Nacht (Silent Night)
Away in a Manger
Jingle Bells
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
also sang these at a local Nursing Home.
August 2013
Beacon Hill Country Park & Beaumanor Hall Estate
Music Video Filming
Sing (Gary Barlow & Andrew Lloyd Webber)
June 2013
Unheard Voices, Youth Service Vox Pop Event, County Hall
May 2013
Room 1, Loughborough University Students Union
Stand By Me (Ben E. King)
Fix You (Coldplay)
Sing (Gary Barlow & Andrew Lloyd Webber)
Breakin' Free (Jamie Houston, High School Musical)
December 2012
LOROS Hospice
Winter Wonderland, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and other Christmas songs
Aylesham Court Nursing Home
Joined in with the residents in BBC Radio Leicester's Sing Christmas 2012
BBC Radio Leicester, interview
Several members were interviewed about the choir and our Christmas performances and we sang 'Silent Night' live on air.
November 2012
CiC Anti-Bullying Leaflet launch, County Hall
Something inside so Strong (Labi Siffre)
Lean on Me (Bill Withers)
October 2012
Celebration of Achievement Awards, County Hall
Consider Yourself (Lionel Bart, Oliver!)
Make you Feel my Love (Bob Dylan)
Something inside so Strong (Labi Siffre)
March 2012
Unheard Voices, Youth Service, County Hall
I wish I knew how (it would feel to be free) (Billy Taylor & Dick Dallas)
Something inside so Strong
December 2011
Corporate Parenting Board Meeting, County Hall
Selection of Christmas Songs
Want to Join??
If you would like to join you need to go through a really hard audition process, like the X Factor... only joking! As long as you're in care in Leicestershire or a care leaver you can join, it doesn't matter if you think you can sing well or not - singing is fun!
Contact Catriona if you'd like to join.
Coming Up ...
Bridging the Years: Young People and Older People, September 2015
Beacon Voices are going to be leading a workshop for young people and older people, as part of an event at Brockington College. We'll all learn a song together and then perform it a the end of the event.
Unheard Voices, September 2015
We will probably be singing at this event at County Hall next month. Watch this space!