Suffolk choirs welcome American friends for a week of music-making and two exciting concerts in Felixstowe and Ipswich
A cross-Atlantic musical friendship started during the earliest days of the Covid lockdowns will be rekindled this summer when female vocal groups Felixstowe Harmonies and Stellar Acappella welcome American ensembles, Song of Seattle and PrimeTime for a week of music-making, including two exciting live concerts.
Felixstowe Harmonies will join Song of Seattle and PrimeTime for Across the Borders, at Harvest House in Felixstowe on July 2, while Stellar Acappella will celebrate Fourth of July! with the American singers at Peter’s Church in Ipswich on July 4.
It will be the first time the groups have sung together in live concerts since their musical collaboration began five years ago during the Covid pandemic.
In early 2020, as the harsh reality of the pandemic and lockdowns set in choirs and choruses around the world were unable to meet and started singing together online.
Members of Felixstowe Harmonies began sharing their thoughts and feelings about isolation and how the world was changing around them. Their combined words became the lyrics to a song, Across the Borders, composed by the choir’s musical director Chandra Grover, which they recorded on YouTube.
When the song reached the ears of Patti Burklund in the US, a singer with female acappella chorus Song of Seattle, and quartet PrimeTime, she was captivated by its soulful lyrics and haunting melody.
Patti contacted Chandra to find out if the song could be arranged in the barbershop style for PrimeTime.
As Chandra’s new arrangement took shape, Felixstowe Harmonies and PrimeTime prepared to collaborate in an online video. The project expanded, however, when two more choirs came on board - Ipswich-based Stellar Acappella, of which Chandra is a member, and US chorus Song of Seattle, to which all four members of PrimeTime belong.
The singers on both sides of the Atlantic recorded Across the Borders, while in isolation, under a new group name, Kingdom of United Voices.
Although written during Covid, Across the Borders is a song for all time, a strong, uplifting message of solidarity, of friends in harmony, and of how singing has the power to lift hearts across the borders of the world.
Twenty-two Song of Seattle members are travelling from the US to Felixstowe where they will enjoy everything Suffolk’s friendliest seaside town has to offer, in between singing workshops with Felixstowe Harmonies, the two public concerts, and some musical surprises.
Felixstowe Harmonies musical director Chandra Grover said: ‘Despite being thousands of miles apart, this musical collaboration stands as a testament to the unifying power of music.
‘I am incredibly proud of the singers of Felixstowe Harmonies who shared their thoughts and emotions in our very first Zoom in lockdown. Across the Borders is now bringing friends face to face to share the beauty that lies in the song.’
Pattie Burklund, of Song of Seattle and PrimeTime, said: ‘It hardly seems possible that it’s now just weeks until we travel to the UK. This began as a wonderful "what if" and has blossomed into an amazing plan.’
Gaynor Schofield, musical director of Stellar Acappella said: ‘We were thrilled to be asked to be involved in this fabulous initiative masterminded by our friends in Felixstowe Harmonies and, in particular, Chandra Grover, their director and a singer with Stellar Acappella.
‘It’s a wonderful collaboration of music-making, bringing together fabulous groups separated by nearly 5,000 miles.
‘We can’t wait to the raise the roof at our shared Fourth of July Concert. This concert will be a real celebration of song and friendship on a day when our American friends usually celebrate Independence Day back home.
‘It’s going to be a real explosion of harmony – can’t wait!’
Felixstowe Harmonies are a committed group of female singers from all walks of life who share a passion for singing and music. They have built an incredibly diverse repertoire, singing their way through light classical songs, folk, rock and
pop, jazz, musical theatre and swing, in four-part harmony, with piano accompaniment and acapella.
Song of Seattle and PrimeTime will bring their unique barbershop style of singing to both concerts. They are affiliated with Sweet Adelines International, a global organisation which promotes women’s barbershop style and acappella music.
Stellar Acappella will complement them with their own contemporary acappella style and talented soloists. Started in 2017, the group has almost 40 singers, all female, who love singing together.
Across the Borders
Felixstowe Harmonies, Song of Seattle and PrimeTime at Harvest House, Felixstowe on July 2 at 7.30pm.
Book now for an unforgettable night of inspiring and uplifting music.
Tickets £12 (under-16s free) at ticketsource.co.uk
Fourth of July!
Stellar Acappella, Song of Seattle and PrimeTime at St Peter’s Church, Ipswich on July 4, 7.30pm.
Tickets £12.60 (under-16s free) 01473 225269 or stpetersbythewaterfront.com
Contact the groups
felixstoweharmonies.co.uk youtube.com/@felixstoweharmonies6317 facebook.com/felixstoweharmonies
Song of Seattle facebook.com/SongofSeattle
Stellar Acappella facebook.com/stellaracappella
For further information:
Chandra Grover, musical director Felixstowe Harmonies 07954 465430
chandra.grover@gmail.com