CHARITABLE CAUSES
We have partnered with charitable organisations which bring invaluable support to people who are vulnerable, raising awareness about their fantastic work and money at fundraising concerts.
We also often showcase the musical and artistic talents of their members by arranging their work to be performed with the orchestra, which is a moving and empowering experience for them.
Improve
mental health
In March 2017, we collaborated with Core Arts, a Hackney charity promoting positive mental health and wellbeing through arts, where Romain teaches singing and choir. For this very special event, students performed songs which had been arranged especially by Romain and combined the live acoustic orchestra with electronic samples and choir vocals. It was an exciting opportunity for the students to hear their work performed by an orchestra for the first time and for the audience to experience an eclectic mix of talents.
Impact
social change
In 2017, we took part in the launch event of 'We Make Change', a social network for social change, allowing charities and change-makers to connect with each other. We played an eclectic programme: Pachelbel's Canon in D, a Chopin Nocturne, a Brahms Hungarian Dance, a medley of songs by Turkish singer Tarkan, 'Shake the world' song composed by director Romain with lyrics/quotes by Gandhi, and 'Imagine' by John Lennon.
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Fight
poverty
On World Poetry Day and Spring Day 2018, this unique event featured 8 socially conscious songwriters, Hannah White, Richard Rhys O'Brien, Shane Beales, Mr Ekow, Annalie Wilson, Rachel Taylor-Beales, Fraya Thomsen and ArchiPol.
Singing their original and uplifting works about hope, social change, solidarity. A CD raising money for Emmaus, a charity that fights poverty, has been made from this live event. To order a copy, please go to our Contact page.
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Collaborate
with artists
We were proud to collaborate with Aniko Kuikka, a Finnish artist graduating at the Royal Academy of Arts and the composer Fraya Thomsen. We recorded the soundtrack of a film installation called 'White Sugar' which was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts from the 22nd June to the 2nd July at the ‘RA Schools Show 2017’. The work deals partly with social issues in Finland such as racism, discrimination and violence against women.
A few musicians from the orchestra, alongside volunteer singers, performed carols and songs for Christmas 2018 at one of the Crisis shops, near Finsbury Park.
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Crisis does an invaluable work in fighting homelessness in London and in the UK.
We will be raising money for them at an event next Spring featuring songwriters, on a barge called 'Tamesis'.
Support
homeless people
Promote
local history
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We were very honoured to record this album about the story of Highbury Barn, written by Richard Rhys O'Brien, supported by the Mayor of Islington and involving local singers from Eclectic Voices.
More than £3000 has been raised so far to support the very important work of CARIS Islington that provides a Bereavement Counselling Service for children and adults, and a night shelter for homeless people, and Freightliner's Farm.
Members of the orchestra accompanied a group of elderly people gathered by the wonderful project Seethrough Theatre Company singing songs together. We celebrated the anniversaries of Nat King Cole (L-O-V-E), Judy Garland (Smile), Pete Seeger (We shall overcome), Nino Rota (Godfather's theme) and composer Offenbach (Cancan).
Music is a fantastic medium to lift people's spirits. Sharing songs from their youth brings back precious memories.
Uplift the spirit
of elderly people
Between October 2019 and February 2020, Elly and Romain ran a music class for babies aged 0 to 12 months at Elizabeth House Community Centre. Introducing the little ones to baby friendly instruments, singing famous nursery rhymes as well as unknown lullabies and songs from all over the world and taking song requests. They were well helped by their baby Felix, who actively took part in the classes!
