Songs of Praise
The Power of Singing
2018 • E14 Apr 8, 2018 35m
Sean Fletcher explores the power of singing to express the Christian faith and also to change people's lives for the better. Sean meets music historian and choir conductor Dr Andrew Gant, who reveals that communal singing may be as old as cave painting and explains its unique relationship with the Christian faith. He attends the True Worship Summit in north London - an international conference celebrating gospel music - and joins hundreds of singers from all over Europe to take part in singing workshops led by some of the biggest names in gospel, including the founder of the London Community Gospel Choir Bazil Meade and Grammy Award-winner Donald Lawrence. Sean speaks to those involved to learn more about the power and purpose of gospel music.
Strictly finalist Alexandra Burke speaks about her Christian faith, and how her late mother inspired her to sing and perform.
And the Rev Kate Bottley meets The Missing People Choir - a remarkable singing group that brings together people who are enduring every family's worst nightmare - they all have loved ones who disappeared. Kate speaks to Peter Boxell, whose son Lee went missing in 1988, and to Peter Lawrence, whose daughter Claudia disappeared in York in 2009. They tell Kate how the choir helps them cope and about reaching the final of Britain's Got Talent last year - which led directly to some families being reunited.
Music:
O Happy Day from LSO St Luke's
And Did Those Feet (Jerusalem) from St John the Baptist Church, Tideswell
Happiness by Ken Dodd and the Love & Joy Gospel Choir
It Is Well with My Soul from Hackney Empire
The Truth Is by Alexandra Burke
Souled Out by the Big Sing Gospel Choir
How Great Thou Art from Holy Trinity, Platt, Manchester.
Strictly finalist Alexandra Burke speaks about her Christian faith, and how her late mother inspired her to sing and perform.
And the Rev Kate Bottley meets The Missing People Choir - a remarkable singing group that brings together people who are enduring every family's worst nightmare - they all have loved ones who disappeared. Kate speaks to Peter Boxell, whose son Lee went missing in 1988, and to Peter Lawrence, whose daughter Claudia disappeared in York in 2009. They tell Kate how the choir helps them cope and about reaching the final of Britain's Got Talent last year - which led directly to some families being reunited.
Music:
O Happy Day from LSO St Luke's
And Did Those Feet (Jerusalem) from St John the Baptist Church, Tideswell
Happiness by Ken Dodd and the Love & Joy Gospel Choir
It Is Well with My Soul from Hackney Empire
The Truth Is by Alexandra Burke
Souled Out by the Big Sing Gospel Choir
How Great Thou Art from Holy Trinity, Platt, Manchester.