Lancashire, County of Song has announced the names of six Community Singing Champions from across the County.
Six exceptional musical practitioners and organisers have been chosen for their valuable contribution to community singing in Lancashire; individuals working tirelessly in grassroots singing. Their work shows the value of singing in our community centres, mosques, schools and churches, particularly in boosting health, well-being and social cohesion, as well as giving space and opportunities for the pure joy of music-making and the difference it can make to communities. County of Song will work alongside them to promote their work and to support their ongoing development.
The Community Singing Champions are: Hussnain Hanif, leading Nasheed singing practitioner and Lancashire Music Service musician; Jayne Kelly, Connect Community Choir; Phill Fairhurst, Connect Community Choir and Electric Pink Singers; Tanya Lawrence and Jackie Speight, Women Rockin’ Harmony and Fylde Coast Veterans Choir, and lastly, Ryan Dixon, Singing for the Brain, Rossendale Memory Choir and the “Forget Me Not” singing group at Pendlebrook Nursing Home. This group of singing champions shows the breadth of work going on across Lancashire.
Hussnain Hanif is a well-respected Nasheed exponent, TV and Radio broadcaster and a socially-engaged arts practitioner of Pakistani working-class heritage who was born and brought up in Brierfield. He has pioneered the Nasheed Choir, fusing Western and Islamic musical traditions. Hussnain sets his work with Nasheed in context:
“Nasheed is a form of Mid’ha (praise) which originates from South-Asian and Middle-Eastern traditions. This can be a cappella singing whilst other versions will include percussion and string instruments. This particular artform is ideal as it connects British-born South Asian communities to their cultural heritage”.
Jayne Kelly has helped develop and support community groups for over thirty years and is passionate about breaking down barriers to enable people to be part of a creative community and develop the confidence and skills in their chosen activities and interests. Jayne says about the work of Connect Community Choir:
“One of our main aims as a not-for-profit community interest company is to work with other community groups, councils and funders to build a creative, connected, resilient and inclusive community and many of our musical events are focussed on reaching isolated members of the community. All of us in the choir particularly support new members who may be experiencing grief, loneliness, reduced confidence, and a range of mental, emotional and physical health conditions – we are here for each other and united through the joy and power of music.”
As well as working with Jayne Kelly as Musical Director of the Connect Community choirs, Phill Fairhurst leads the Electric Pink Voices, Blackpool’s new LGBTQ+ choir. This group offers a safe space, where members can express themselves creatively through music. The group has made quite an impact already in the 2 years it has been going with performances at Blackpool Pride, Manchester Pride and Encounter Festival and will be helping to host the Hand in Hand UK and Ireland singing festival in Blackpool in 2027.
Phill says about Electric Pink Singers:
“Our specific demographic are community members who identify as LGBTQ+ and Allies. Mental health and loneliness feature highly in our community, and the choir offers a safe inclusive space, free from prejudice where members can find a sense of belonging and upskill in an artform while connecting with others through music.”
Tanya Lawrence and Jackie Speight work together with communities across Blackpool and the Fylde coast. Their Women Rockin’ Harmony choirs are open to all women in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre, with a pioneering approach combining song and movement. They have also recently launched Fylde Coast Veterans Choir which is open to ex- Armed Forces personnel on the Fylde Coast working to develop the transferable skills of veterans to the choir group context. Tanya and Jackie reflect on Women Rockin’ Harmony:
“We boast two teams of enthusiastic ladies who relish every moment of singing and moving together, delivering fully harmonised and choreographed renditions of iconic hits by female stars from the 70s to the present day.”
Ryan Dixon has led Alzheimer’s Society “Singing for the Brain” groups in Padiham, Chorley, Preston, and Blackburn since 2021. Ryan says about the participants he works with:
“They are invited and encouraged to sing, regardless of whether or not they have a previous musical background, and this most often creates a fun, joyful environment where people can really express themselves. In addition to the musical benefits, these sessions give participants a sense of community – a place to meet like-minded people and socialise.”
Loz Kaye, County of Song Director said of the selected Singing Champions:
“This group of leaders make a real difference in their communities – providing activities week in week out, combatting isolation and raising money for charity. Their work shows the value of singing in our local areas, particularly in boosting health, well-being and social cohesion. I’m really happy we can celebrate their valuable contribution.”
The Singing Champion initiative is just one of the initiatives by Lancashire: County of Song (LCoS) to elevate the profile of singing across the region in recent months. Supported by Lancashire County Council and Arts Lancashire, in collaboration with Horse + Bamboo and Encounter Voices, LCoS has promoted public events; conducted outreach visits; developed partnerships; commissioned a piece of music; started creating a recruitment toolkit for community choirs in Lancashire; launched an online choir mapping project as well as bringing about the Community Singing Champions and supporting over 1094 participants to engage in events and workshops in Lancashire. Information about the Singing Champions, as well as details of the wider programme, events and the Lancashire Community Singing Map can be viewed, on the Arts Lancashire website www.artslancashire.org.uk/county-of-song.