The Choir with No Name are continuing their annual Christmas extravaganza on Friday.
The choir’s Christmas singalong kicks off the festive season in style to support people who are marginalised or affected by homelessness.
Liverpool’s choir manager Ema Quinn, 50, said: “There’s a lot of negativity at the moment so an event like this helps people feel good and forget about all the nonsense in the world.”
This is the first of five Christmas singalongs happening across the country and will involve the choir singing all your favourite Christmas classics.
The Choir with No Name was formed in Liverpool in January 2014 with the aim of empowering as many homeless or marginalised people as possible by showcasing their talents and building personal resilience by being a part of a joyful singing community.
In 2022-23 alone, the charity has worked with over 700 individuals through their outreach programme and rehearsals with over 25,000 individuals witnessing one of their triumphant performances.
Liverpool’s choir usually meets every Wednesday for a cuppa and catch-up before rehearsal, followed by a warm meal cooked by volunteers.
The impact of the choir has been huge on locals with some leaving positive messages about their experience at the Liverpool branch.
One man said; “If my life was a ladder, when I joined the choir, I was on the bottom rung. Coming to choir was the start of me climbing up that ladder and becoming the confident person I am today.”
Another said; “The choir has saved my life without them even knowing it because they have helped lift me out of a dark place with their non-judgmental attitude and amazing friendly atmosphere.”
A third added; “In the Choir with No Name, everyone just smiles automatically. It creates something really beautiful.”
Choir manager Ema joined the project in 2014 as she felt her background working with those affected by substance abuse and mental health issues would suit the project.
She said; “My heart has always been in the power of art to enlighten, express, celebrate and transform us and the need for informed, dedicated spaces for people’s recovery.”
The event will take place this Friday (December 8), at the Tung Auditorium in the Yoko Ono Lennon Centre at the University of Liverpool.
Ema said finding a venue at this time of year has been particularly difficult: “We rely on the support of venues and them believing in what we are doing.
“To land the Tung Auditorium was a big relief and is something we are particularly pleased about.”
They will be joined on stage by the Liverpool UnIty Choir and the Asylum Link Merseyside Choir with tickets costing £12 standard or £8 for concession.
Featured image (c) The Choir With No Name
