Singing Our Lives brings together people from local UK communities with people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to compose and perform new music.  This year it culminates in a gala performance for the finale of Refugee Week 6pm Sunday 26th June at the Union Chapel in Islington, London, presented by Together Productions and supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Music can be healing especially for those who have suffered trauma due to violence, torture, conflict and displacement. Returning on stage for the first time in over two years, the Singing Our Lives project brings together people from local UK communities with people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to compose and perform new music. This year, to mark Refugee Week, the project will culminate with a special concert at 6pm Sunday 26th June at the Union Chapel in London (19b Compton Terrace, N1 2UN). 

Find your tickets here.

The evening will feature the premiere of “Under the Same Sun”, the latest song  collectively written and composed by Singing Our LIves participants in collaboration with artists from all over the world. Hosted by the BBC’s Jumoké Fashola the evening will also include a feast of music including performances by members of the Orchestra of Syrian Musicians, Mind & Soul, Mixed Up Chorus, Music Connects, Sing For Freedom Choir, United Strings of Europe, Thames Opera Company and Write to Life.

“IOM is honoured to be a partner in such a unique project”, says Tauhid Pasha, head of office at IOM UK. „Music brings migrants, refugees and communities together. This is exactly what Singing Our Lives will do, and is the true essence of integration, mutual understanding and inclusion. After two years of social distancing, it is an amazing opportunity to be able to come together again at events such as this and celebrate the resilience, creativity and bravery of refugees in the UK and elsewhere.”

Holly Jones, along with Jeremy Haneman, is co-director of Together Productions; she has worked as a Creative Producer in the arts for over 20 years in theatre, visual arts music and film, specialising in participant-led creative production and bringing new voices and audiences to the arts. “Over the years, I have been inspired by how quickly the Singing Our Lives project became its own powerful & supportive community. Our work includes those who are marginalised or excluded, such as displaced people and those seeking sanctuary, people facing mental health challenges, the elderly, the financially disadvantaged and socially excluded. Singing together is an incredible way to build community, improve mental health and build empathy.”

Singing Our Lives, now in its sixth year, is produced by Together Productions in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the United Kingdom and Union Chapel, with generous support from the Arts Council England.

Tickets are free for refugees and asylum seekers, please get in touch with asoleiman@iom.int

“We are survivors of torture; we lost everything, we don’t have families here, but this choir is our family. We struggle to find the confidence to associate with the community. For us, this is our integration in the community: it helps us boost our confidence, to rebuild our life.”
Yonas, Singing Our Lives participant

Meet the people behind the Singing Our Lives project. 

Photo Credit: Mike Johnston

For information please contact asoleiman@iom.int