A choir of 280 was created, with singers from all different backgrounds. Word soon got around that the choir existed and, with a core group of 40, the choir has been flexible enough to perform at a variety of events over the summer, including TV and radio recordings. This is all in addition to its original purpose - singing with Russell Watson at the Opening Ceremony.
'What thrills the socks off me is that the choir did not exist in January and now we have had national coverage and it's changing people's lives. It's a great success story for the Games, Manchester and everyone involved.'
'I didn't want a group of traditional, classical gospel singers. Instead of simply combining several existing choirs, I decided to form a brand new one which was unique to the Games'
When Andy Silver, musical director at Elmwood Church in Salford, heard he had to form a gospel choir specifically for the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, he knew it had to be a bit above the norm.
A choir of 280 was created, with singers from all different backgrounds. Word soon got around that the choir existed and, with a core group of 40, the choir has been flexible enough to perform at a variety of events over the summer, including TV and radio recordings. This is all in addition to its original purpose - singing with Russell Watson at the Opening Ceremony.
'What thrills the socks off me is that the choir did not exist in January and now we have had national coverage and it's changing people's lives. It's a great success story for the Games, Manchester and everyone involved.'
'I didn't want a group of traditional, classical gospel singers. Instead of simply combining several existing choirs, I decided to form a brand new one which was unique to the Games'
When Andy Silver, musical director at Elmwood Church in Salford, heard he had to form a gospel choir specifically for the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, he knew it had to be a bit above the norm.