Inclusive youth choir for Peterborough launched by online collaboration with The King’s Singers

Peterborough Music Hub are commissioning a charity called Soundabout to develop an inclusive choir for young people in Peterborough, with a focus on removing barriers from those with learning disabilities being able to have a voice.

The brand new Soundabout Inclusive Choir for Peterborough Youth Peterborough choir have already teamed up with The King’s Singers during Covid lockdown to produce a new version of Amazing Grace as part of the group’s Finding Harmony campaign.

The new choir will meet every two weeks from Saturday, September 26.

The song premiered on The King’s Singers and Soundabout’s Facebook pages and Youtube channels on August 30 and is the first collaboration of its kind between the top vocal sextet and the all abilities choir, which not only encourages people with severe and profound learning disabilities to join in, but to lead the group.

The arrangement of Amazing Grace by music therapist Steve Dunachie was based on a performance by Soundabout Inclusive Choir member Sam Pittick, who has Down’s Syndrome and hearing loss, and is built on his musical choices, pace, rhythm and pitch.

Clare Cook, chief executive of Soundabout said: “The experience of working with The King’s Singers on this collaboration of Amazing Grace has been extremely significant one for the Soundabout Inclusive Choir, led as it was by our talented choir member Sam. We are much looking forward to starting the Soundabout Inclusive Choir in Peterborough, as it is the ultimate example of the power of music to bring people together and give everyone a voice.”

Steve Dunachie said: “I was delighted to be asked to arrange Amazing Grace for Soundabout, featuring Sam and his friends, and to see the final product so skilfully put together. As a music therapist one is aware that the very best musical resources are needed for clients, and The King’s Singers are the very best.”

If you are aged 18 and under and would be interested in joining the Soundabout Inclusive Choir for Peterborough Youth, email [email protected] or visit www.soundabout.org.uk.

The King’s Singers were founded in 1968 by six choral scholars who had recently graduated from King’s College Cambridge. Their vocal line-up was (by chance) two countertenors, a tenor, two baritones and a bass, and the group has never wavered from this formation since. 

Soundabout was launched in 1995 in Oxford with the aim of empowering school staff working with children and young people with special needs to make music interactively with their pupils with severe and complex disabilities. 

Since then, Soundabout has blossomed into a national charity that has pioneered the use of music, rhythm and sound to give disabled children and adults a safe environment to find their voice, a way to express themselves and be listened to.

The Soundabout Inclusive Choir first launched in Oxford in February 2019.