Singing in the city

Walking down Gallowtree Gate, after the meeting of Leicester Council of Faiths Board of Directors, I'm attracted by the sound of singing. In the distance, I see a crowd gathered in front of the giant Christmas tree in front of the Clock Tower. As I approach I realise - it's a choir! Singing in the city centre! After ten on a weekday night! Lovely.

They're the Emmanu'-El Apostolic Gospel Academy, based at De Montfort University.

I video two songs to post on our YouTube channel. I need permission of course, so I ask a couple of men who are with the group, but not singing (one of them videos me, giving my reaction to hearing the choir singing here). They give me the name and number of Sister Ellah and advise me to phone her tomorrow to ask consent for using the videos.

Thankfully, Sister Ellah says yes. Leicester Council of Faiths doesn't have a great record of association, engagement or involvement with African heritage, black-led community churhces in the city, so I'm glad to be able to do this.

You can find the videos of the choir performing on the Council of Faiths YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/counciloffaiths?feature=mhum#p/u/13/bSzyDfUiJFI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epuW0JNPZvI

Find out more about the Emmanu'-El Apostolic Gospel Academy:
http://www.el-eaga.com/