STRATFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL – SONG FOR STRATFORD!
Stratford Literary Festival is calling on all amateur singers on Saturday 2 May to take part in an exclusive performance of a ‘Song for Stratford’ with professional guidance from a vocal coach from BBC1’s The Voice.
Singer-songwriter and voice coach to the stars, Juliet Russell, has worked with Grammy award, Mercury Prize and Brit nominees and performed with Damon Albarn, Imogen Heap, Paloma Faith, Brian Eno and Yoko Ono.
Applicants were invited to send lyrics for the Festival’s ‘My Voice’ competition winning the opportunity to have their lyrics put to music by Juliet to be performed at the arts festival. The winning lyrics have been kept tightly under wraps.
Juliet will perform the winning song with the choir created on the day.
Juliet said: “The choir will literally be created from scratch. The day should be a fun and rewarding experience for people who want to do something a little different. Singing makes you feel great and singing with others, in a choir or group is more than just fun. It releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals in the brain and gives us something that we uniquely share as humans – innate musicality and the ability to communicate in incredible ways. It’s a great way to have fun, express yourself, and meet new people.”
The Song for Stratford rehearsal will be from 10am-3pm, with breaks and lunch, and will culminate in a short performance at 3.30pm. The event is sponsored by Robert Welch and takes place at the Stratford Arts House. It costs just £10 per person to join in.
Festival Director Annie Ashworth said: “No experience is necessary. We want the day to be lots of fun, and a wonderful opportunity to sing the winning song in our lyrics competition, and create a new song for Stratford!”
Speaking about what inspired Juliet to lead the event, she said: “Music is for everybody. It has incredible power to bring people together. It’s really exciting for me to perform this unique Song for Stratford in a way that puts local people centre stage. We hope the song will be a lasting legacy which the people of Stratford can be proud of.”
As well as working in the music industry, Juliet has worked extensively with singers in community and health settings. Research has shown singing in choirs has a positive impact on a range of physical and psychological conditions from depression to lung disease.
Places are limited so to book call 01789 207100 or go online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk. The full Festival programme is available at stratlitfest.co.uk
For media enquiries please contact clair@causeuk.com 07531948014