London Community Gospel Choir will be putting on a free combined choir concert for the public in Honiara this evening at the St Barnabas Cathedral.
The London Community Gospel Choir was founded in 1982 by the Reverend Bazil Meade, with Lawrence Johnson, Delroy Powell, and John Francis.
Initially, the idea was for a single concert, and this was staged by a 120-strong choir before an audience of more than a thousand people. The one-off event gave rise to a permanent choir, performing internationally for over 25 years.
The success of the first event led to inquiries for the choir to appear on television and radio and at various corporate functions across the United Kingdom and Europe. The choir debuted on television with a performance on Channel Four's Black on Black.
In December 2003, The Guardian described the choir as "controversial, professional, energetic, inspiring and spirit-filled!"
The group has gone on to perform with well-known artists such as Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Gorillaz, and Kylie Minogue.
The British High Commission, the British Council (New Zealand and the Pacific), and the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) are supporting a combined choir from across Solomon Island Christian Association and Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association churches to work with the London Community Gospel Choir on a program of gospel music.
British High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands and Nauru, His Excellency Thomas Coward said:
“The churches in the Solomon Islands are a crucial voice for peace and unity. Throughout many voices, we will use the power of song to pull us all together. This project will support our Churches’ mission of peace and amplify their powerful voices. Doing so with the wonderful choirs and with the support of SIBC will help spread this message.”