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Music House Gospel Choir Shines on Channel 5’s Winter on the Farm

Music House Gospel Choir Shines on Channel 5’s Winter on the Farm

Dec 5, 2024

Music House Gospel Choir is set to make its national television debut in the Christmas special of Channel 5’s popular show Winter on the Farm, airing Tuesday 17 December 2024, at 9pm.

This exciting opportunity marks a major milestone for the choir, which will perform six festive Christmas songs featured throughout the programme.

Music House, a longstanding music charity with over 130 years of history, is devoted to making music and singing accessible to all. The charity’s continued mission is to provide music opportunities for both young people and adults, regardless of background or financial means. The creation of the Gospel Choir in April of this year, was a natural extension of this vision, offering a free and inclusive space for local individuals to explore and develop their musical talents.

In October 2024, Music House was contacted by an Assistant Producer working on the returning Channel 5 series Winter on the Farm. After several discussions, Music House’s Gospel Choir was chosen to be part of the Christmas special, thanks to their compelling backstory, vibrant performances, and dedication to community.

Filming took place at Cannon Hall Farm on Monday 18 November 2024, where the choir rehearsed six festive Christmas songs. Hosts Helen Skelton, Jules Hudson, and JB Gill joined in the fun, dancing along with the choir during the rehearsal. These songs will be featured throughout the Christmas special, adding a heartwarming touch to the festive atmosphere.

Music House Creative Director – Christella Litras shared her pride in the choir’s journey:
“We’re so proud of the choir’s incredible progress since April. Leading alongside Choir Director Leroy Johnson has been a privilege. This opportunity is more than just performing on television, It’s a celebration of our community’s spirit and resilience.”

The choir members were thrilled by the experience, with one saying, “We had an unforgettable day at Cannon Hall Farm.  Seeing the hosts dancing to our music was surreal, and we never imagined something like this would happen to us. It’s an honour to represent our community on national television.”

This appearance is a significant step in raising awareness for Music House, helping to shine a light on the charity’s mission of providing music education and performance opportunities to those in need. The inclusion of the Music House Gospel Choir highlights the charity’s dedication to providing music opportunities and the warmth of their local community.

The Winter on the Farm Christmas special celebrates Yorkshire’s farming heroes and the magic of rural life.

Music House Festive House Party Fundraiser

Music House Festive House Party Fundraiser

Nov 12, 2024

Join us for a day of spectacular festive fun on Saturday 14 December, the day will be packed with festive treats from 2pm – 11pm. 

Get your tickets here

Download event flyer here

Date: As above 
Time: As above 
Venue: Music House, St Mark’s House, LS2 9BN
Prices: £8 Adult. £4 Child (5-16 years)
Babies and Toddlers FREE

This incredibly special festive fundraising event is a ‘not-to-be-missed’ family occasion with something for everyone.

The stage will be set for live performances from Caution Collective and a whole host of special guests; food and drink; local market makers for all your festive gifting; Christmas decorations everywhere; a raffle with amazing prizes; family activities and in true house party style, a DJ to see the night out.

Show your support and join us for a truly amazing day. We only have 300 tickets – so grab one before they go! Please also follow us on instagram and share our event to your family and friends.

By supporting this event, you’ll be helping to raise much needed funds so that we can continue to work with young people and adults in our local community. Isn’t that a beautiful gift to give at this special time of the year?

We can’t wait to see you.

Remember, all profits from this wonderful event will be going to Music House so please show your support. 

Sponsor
We are extremely grateful to our sponsor for this event:

MrsPEvents

 

Travel Light

Travel Light

Nov 6, 2024

We’re delighted, amazed and excited to be working with our dear

friends, the phenomenal SAA UK on this brilliant project.

Travel Light is inspired by Civil Engineer John Smeaton, who’s probably most famous and well-known for designing the Eddystone Light House, Plymouth.

Without giving too much away, this project will interpret code that is used to light up lighthouses today, through Indian music notes and sangam.

The project will also look deeper into the maritime routes from 1775 when John Smeaton was alive and these routes will be brought to life through the musicians.

More information here

 

A Statement from Music House

Aug 8, 2024

The far right racist, violent attacks that have taken place across the UK are frightening and deeply distressing.

Equality, diversity and inclusivity are at the core of everything we stand for at Music House, and we absolutely condemn extremist groups who seek to destabilise our society and prey on people because of skin colour, race, gender identity, ethnicity or disability. We particularly abhor attacks on people who have come to this country to escape persecution and danger in their own lands, only to find that a tiny minority of racist thugs mean them harm here.

We applaud and identify with those thousands of ordinary people who have taken to the streets to resist these extremists, and to protect our society and the people in it. That is what this country is really about. We are very proud of the multi-cultural, rich diversity that makes up the fabric of our great City of Leeds.

Hate has no place in our communities and we welcome the response of the Judicial System and the speed at which all of this has taken place.

We stand with those people in our communities who are fighting racism and prejudice, and offer them our full support.

Who’s In the House – A night to remember

Who’s In the House – A night to remember

Jun 26, 2024

Our first ever ‘pay as you feel’ Open Season Show on Saturday 13 July, 7pm at Leeds Playhouse was simply spectacular

Did you manage to make it to our show? There really was something for everyone.

We ‘sold out’ the 800 seat Quarry Theatre at Leeds Playhouse. It really was a night to go down in our history.

Some of our longest standing teachers and ensembles performed alongside new talent, through our latest young recruits – New Generation.

Our Gospel Choir, led by MOBO nominee, Leroy Johnson, raised the roof and everyone’s spirits. Whilst the country’s first and only youth reggae choir, Reggae Roots brought a certain mellow to the mood.

If you’ve been following the latest series of The Piano then you may have recognised soloists, Fredlin and Temi. Cole LC, Leeds trail-blazing singer-songwriter (recently signed to a major label) rode the positive vibe performing his own songs across genres from R‘n’B and Soul to Rap.

The show included our very own Creative Director and nationally reputed composer, singer and MD, Christella Litras with Voices Choir; spoken word poet Michelle Scally Clarke, who has worked alongside the greats like Benjamin Zephaniah and Linton Kwesi Johnson.

Karlene Wray gave an absolute spine-tingling, jaw dropping and breath-taking solo performance of ‘They Live In You’ from the world renowned West End musical ‘Lion King’

It was a jam-packed evening that left every single person wanting more… watch this space because there will be more!

    

SEE MORE AMAZING PHOTOS FROM THE NIGHT HERE

 

The evening was amazing.
I was very nervous but I will remember it for the rest of my life.

Amazing talent in Music House and so diverse.

It was superb. An incredible array of diverse talent with so much warmth, heart and community spirit.

Keep up the good work nice to see how talent grows and can shine when given a platform.

We were touched by just how many artists of all ages, backgrounds and talents came together, not only to showcase their artistic passion but to drive and support one another. You have managed to create a real family with those you work with and the love was felt across both stage and rippled through the audience. The energy was electric and somehow we felt transposed to a different world with every act! Thank you for bringing people together in the space. Music House is a shining example of the transformative power music can take.

Our partner, Mahogany Market had many stalls at Leeds Playhouse from 4pm – 10pm. A chance for our audience to drop by buy some lovely things pre-show and during the interval.

The evening was dedicated to Annette ‘Judah Morris who led our Reggae Choir. Very sadly, she passed away a few days before our show. Judah was a long standing and much loved member of the Music House family. She is sadly missed but her memory and legacy will live on through our Reggae Choir.

Music House is a sub-brand of the Yorkshire College of Music and Drama. Yorkshire College of Music and Drama is a non-profit making charitable trust, registered with the Charity Commission no. 0529220, and is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees.
Avanade choose to support Music House

Avanade choose to support Music House

Jun 12, 2024

Music House is truly grateful and full of thanks and love for Avanade who have chosen us as one of their local charities because our  core values and ambitions sit well with theirs. A match made in heaven!

On the weekend of 18 – 19 May, volunteers from Avanade turned up with paint brushes in hand, ready to get down to some serious business of painting. Together with Music House staff, they quickly got to work to paint the two biggest rooms in our building: Fantasia and Rhythm. It’s also worth mentioning that this weekend was really hot and all the volunteers sacrificed time in the sunshine to help us with this mammoth job.

Vinny Leach of Avanadev said:

“By challenging the status quo on who has access to creative opportunities, having a vision and consciously building an inclusive approach to their programs, the charity’s support for economically and socially disadvantaged groups, including those with physical or learning disabilities,  and the socially excluded, it is creating a culturally rich community. The mindset that Music House demonstrate with their openness and encouraging different perspectives and embracing differences and change fits perfectly with Avanade’s principle around Creating the Future.

“In addition, Music House goals of nurturing young talent, providing opportunities for individuals and groups to thrive in their musical pursuits while ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access, fosters inspiration to be better and do better as a society. This resonates with Avanade’s own culture to empower voices, create a diversity of thought and inclusion into the workplace.”

We are also immensely overwhelmed to be presented with a cheque from Vinny for £2000 (pictured in the image above with Christella). This money is really going to help provide providing free opportunities for young disadvantaged people to be included in musical activities and creative projects.

@Avanade  @AvanadeUKI
#AvanadeCitizenship #AvanadeDoWhatMatters #We change things for the better. #We believe everyone counts. #We innovate with passion and purpose. #We deliver with excellence. #We act with integrity and respect

Below our a few photos from our painting weekend where we shared conversation, laughter, fun and food. 

Our FREE Community Gospel Choir perform for our new Lord Mayor

Our FREE Community Gospel Choir perform for our new Lord Mayor

Jun 12, 2024

New Lord Mayor of Leeds, Abigail Marshall-Katung invited our Community Gospel Choir to perform at her Inauguration and Civic Service at Leeds Minster on Sunday 9 June.  

Based in the Lord Mayor’s ward – Little London & Woodhouse – Abigail is a huge advocate of Music House. A frequent visitor, she recognises the difference Music House is striving to make to the lives of local, underprivileged residents of all ages.

For her wonderful event on Sunday at the stunning Leeds Minster, our Gospel Community Choir gave a  magical performance of  two of Abigail’s most cherished songs: ‘Many Rivers to Cross’ and ‘Amazing Grace’. The performance –  around eight minutes – was pure Gospel magic and had everyone sitting on the edge of their seats.

The arrangement of the two songs was created by our very own Creative Director, Christella Litras (and we will be posting this video on our socials and website soon so keep a look out!).

In preparation, three weeks ago, the Choir rehearsed the songs in the presence of Abigail – she was moved to tears.

Formed just over two months ago, the FREE Community Gospel Choir has members from 14 years upwards.  The wonderfully, diverse Choir has over 50 members who meet weekly to sing songs and harmonies that have been passed down through generations.  Each and every one of the Choir agrees it’s the highlight of their week and singing for Abigail was a dream come true!

Led by multi-award winning and MOBO nominee, Leroy Johnson said:

“I was delighted to be asked by Music House to be involved with the creation of their Gospel Community Choir.  I can’t believe the energy that everyone brings. 

“Every week I see members grow with confidence as they develop, there’s laughter, a mix of emotions, everyone’s faces light up as they sing, clap and dance like no-one is watching… and the friendships are real.

“I feel truly proud Music House has created a free choir for the community and I believe signing for our Lord Mayor is just the start of a magical journey, so watch this space!”

The Community Gospel Choir is just one of many free choirs the Charity has created. After listening to requests from local residents, it became clear there was a lack of accessible, Gospel choirs in Leeds, so the Charity took action to address this.

Music House is determined  to create experiences for people in its surrounding areas where low income families live; and where there is very few free activities for people of all ages. Their music hub in Woodhouse is a ‘safe-space’ and the doors are open for anyone wanting  to learn music, sing, socialise and be creative with likeminded people.

Here are a few photos from Sunday’s performance…

A Ribbon for Christella

A Ribbon for Christella

Apr 30, 2024

-Music House Creative Director to feature in artist, Pippa Hale’s public sculpture ‘Ribbons’

We’re overjoyed to learn that our Creative Director, Christella Litras has been announced as one of 400 inspirational women of Leeds who are to be celebrated in a new sculpture ‘Ribbons’.

Comprising of five corten (naturally aged and rusted) steel ribbons, the sculpture will feature Christella’s name alongside 399 other inspirational women of Leeds who’ve made a lasting difference to the cultural, economical and social landscape of our great City.

The accolade presented to Christella is in recognition of her 20+ years and experience as a musical director, Award winning composer, lyricist, vocalist, keyboard player, percussionist, workshop facilitator and musical mentor. Christella has a keen focus and investment in young / up-and-upcoming artists – working with them to develop and elevate their talent and confidence.

Our Creative Director is also leading on Music House’s community based projects for young people and adults. These initiatives centre around enriching the lives of the diverse people who live in our locality; and who are not able to access music and singing because of personal circumstances.

Christella said

“I am very grateful for this amazing award, and to the person(s) who nominated me – because I am not sure who did, so it came as a total surprise.

“I love what I do and I’m so happy to be recognised for my work. If I can help to make a positive difference to the lives of future music makers who I am lucky to work with and nurture, this is the greatest reward I could ask for.

“Seeing the names of the other remarkable women, I’m honestly so proud – it’s means so much to me – my mum is even more delighted than me’’.

Ribbons will be located close to Leeds Playhouse and Quarry Hill. This is another sculpture which aims to address the lack of diversity in public sculptures which are visible in Leeds.

Developed by local MP and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, and led by Leeds Arts University in partnership with Leeds City Council and Leeds City College), the project aims to celebrate women, past and present, who have contributed to the city. Read the full article on Leeds Arts University website 

Safer Spaces Exchange – FREE EVENT 

Safer Spaces Exchange – FREE EVENT 

Mar 27, 2024

Conversation ||  Live Music
Let’s disrupt the status quo of gig going culture together

Join Young Women Music Project (YWMP) for an evening of honest, diverse and inclusive conversation.

Hosted by YWMP Director Zahra Haji Fath Ali Tehrani, the event will include panel conversation with creative musicians: Karlene Wray; Christella Litras (Music House Creative Director); Mica Sefia and Phenicia Williams (who also teaches singing at Music House).

The night will showcase new, live music making Safer Spaces Exchange an event not-to-be-missed!

Details
Date: Thursday 18 April 2024
Time: 7pm onwards
Who is the event for: All ages welcome
Secure your space here     Please note there are 40 spaces available so be quick or you’ll miss out!

More about the Safer Spaces project
YWMP is running a 2-year project funded by Youth Music that will create a policy with procedures on how to make live music venues safer and more accessible for all demographics, particularly marginalised groups.

Following the events, a steering committee will create a Safer Spaces Policy that addresses the safety issues that frequently occur at live music events.

YWMP aim to build a sisterhood of creatives by providing an inclusive, non-judgemental, safe space for musical expression.

Free for all Choirs

Free for all Choirs

Feb 21, 2024

FREE choirs are enticing diverse communities to Music House, as part of a meaningful, inner North-West Leeds project ‘Who’s In The House’ (WITH) which are already attracting a lot of attention as spaces are being snapped up.

WITH has a number of strands which will be shared as they evolve. Primarily aimed at positively addressing inequalities of the people living in surrounding suburbs; where community arts and creatives outlets are scarce. Thanks to funding from Arts Council England and Leeds City Council, this important project is taking shape and will see many exciting aspects come to life over in the months up to summer.

The FREE choirs underway are: a  Community Gospel Choir; a Reggae Choir and a Chinese Choir. Providing cost-free musical experiences which not only support mental health, development and wellbeing but give people the choice to be involved or not. The choirs encapsulate cultural diversity, age and gender whilst fulfilling the pleas of locals. Spaces are filling fast and feedback confirms the singing opportunities are a welcome distraction.

Christella Litras, Creative Director and WITH lead said:
“I am immensely honoured to be leading ‘Who’s In The House’. It’s wonderful to see such a wide mix of people in our space. This week 50 people turned up for the Gospel choir, double the number that came last week. The feedback has been so heart-warming – one woman said it’s a lifeline to her, following a car accident and chronic pain, sining helps her greatly.

“With a cost of living crisis, free activities are even more important; as a music hub, we have a genuine passion to make a small difference.”

WITH is just one of the ambitious meaningful community projects that Music House is going to be delivering over the coming years. The music hub is committed to enriching lives through musical interaction, projects and programmes.

Find out more about Who’s In the House