Soul Choirs on Tour - our first City Break holiday!

About 18 months ago, we had an enquiry from Ellen, the Director of an amazing choir organisation called OnStage, based in Antwerp, Belgium. She reached out and asked Abi, Soul Choirs Founder and Director, to teach and lead a couple of our arrangements to a group of their members during a planned trip to London later that year. When the two met, there was a beautiful meeting of minds (and hearts) as both Ellen and Abi share the same passion for bringing people together and appreciate the special connections and joy that can be found through singing!

With this being our 15th Birthday year, the idea came about for us to undertake our first City Break! We've previously run countryside retreat weekends in England and more relaxed European beach choir holidays but, due to our wonderful new relationship with OnStage, it felt like the perfect opportunity to try something different.

It was definitely worth the punt and ended up being one of our most successful trips to date! During our three night adventure, we fitted in a Sommelier led beer tasting, a group meal serving typically Belgian fare, an impromptu performance on a staircase (why not?!), a trip to the world's biggest chocolate factory and, most importantly, a day with our friends at OnStage which concluded with a spectacular show! A fantastic 'after party' with live band was also laid on so we could party the night away with our new, like minded, singing-loving Flemish friends!

The show included performances from two of their amazing choirs, along with us, and they welcomed our group with open arms! We ended the show by all coming together and singing two songs as one huge choir - it was epic! Ellen and her wife, Aurelie, were brave enough to purchase their own venue early in the New Year and amazingly, in only three months, have gutted and remodelled the space into something truly excellent. We were privileged to be part of the very first production to take place in the theatre and their hospitality and kindness was overwhelming.

This City Break had everything; culture, waffles, beer, singing, CHOCOLATE, friendship and tummy ache inducing levels of laughter - it also cemented the special relationship with our brilliant Belgian sister choir. It feels amazing to have been part of such a wonderful few days - there's something so satisfying about watching choir members from different branches (and countries!) come together and bond.

These incredible experiences just solidify one of our tag lines....'Singing is just the beginning'. It's undeniable, singing brings people together, nurtures friendships and offers unique opportunities to a whole spectrum of different people. Aren't we lucky?!

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Here are a few quotes from members who were part of the trip:

‍'Brilliant few days with amazing opportunities and good company. I'd definitely go again.'

'Such fun to travel to a new country and sing with other choirs. Everyone in Soul Choirs were so friendly and welcoming - it was easy to find new friends to hang out with. I loved the whole experience.'

'An epic and enriching trip, full of laughter and joy, in a fabulous city. An experience that is only available through UK Soul Choirs!'

'My first but definitely not my last Choir Trip. Fantastic from start to finish, SO much fun, great to be away with our Choir Family and fantastic singing with our wonderful Belgium hosts.'

'Had a Fab time. Wonderful memories. A trip I would do again in a heartbeat.'

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