Several members of CCGC joined forces with other local singers to provide backing vocals to Richard Navarro’s new set of songs ‘Firewatching’, which were officially launched at The Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury, on 23 April, 2016.

Firewatching is an ambitious and uplifting new collection of songs that takes as its starting point the heroism of those who protected Canterbury Cathedral from incendiary bombs during the blitz of June 1942. This and other inspirational stories from East Kent's past were brought to life through Richard's epic, soaring vocals and multi-instrumental talents, and the punchy, post-folk arrangements of his trio, featuring co-writer Nicholas Thurston (double bass) and James Hatton (percussion). We had a great time and can’t wait to work with Richard again!

Now widely in demand as a performer and composer, Canterbury-based Richard has toured the UK both as headline artist and support for the legendary Joan Armatrading.

We were delighted to make the final of Top Choir Kent 2016!

The finals were held in the prestigious Shirley Hall at The King’s School Canterbury and highlights were broadcast on BBC Radio Kent on Easter Monday.

We competed with six other choirs from across Kent, ranging from gospel and contemporary to chamber and barbershop. It was a real privilege to share a stage with such talented choirs. Congratulations to the worthy winners - The Kentones from Bromley.
 
The charity event was organised by The Rotary Club of Canterbury. Reporting on the finals, the Club said: “All the choirs were amazing and not one of them failed to deliver. It was a fantastic evening's entertainment.”
 
The winners were presented with their trophy by the Patron of Top Choir Kent, former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey. He said: "There were seven winners here tonight”.

We were delighted to be selected by Juliet Russell to work on the live launch of her new album, Earth Meets Sky, at the Colyer Fergusson Hall at the University of Kent on 16 May, 2015.

Juliet is a singer, composer and vocal coach. She has performed and worked with leading artists including Damon Albarn, Paloma Faith, Alt-J, M.I.A, Yoko Ono, Seal, Imogen Heap, Brian Eno and at venues from Glastonbury to the Royal Opera House. She has also worked as a vocal coach on BBC1’s The Voice.

In May 2015, Juliet toured her album, transforming the songs for live shows and collaborating with local choirs and musicians wherever she performed, creating a unique experience in every venue. Her passion for working with individuals and communities to develop their voices and creativity shone through.

We were delighted to be asked to sing at the official switch-on of the Canterbury Christmas lights on 20 November, 2014.

We were joined on-stage by the cast of the Marlowe Theatre pantomime Aladdin, as well as opera singer Hercules and the Lord Mayor of Canterbury. The event attracted hundreds - it was a challenge to even get on the stage!

CCGC also sang at the Vineyard Church’s carol service and at a special screening of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at the East Quay restaurant in Whitstable.

CCGC joined forces with Swale Singers to provide entertainment to diners at the Kent Culture Awards on 12 June, 2014, held at the University of Kent in Canterbury.

We were coached by Lucky Moyo from Music for Change and our contribution had a distinctly African vibe! It was nice to see award nominees and their guests getting into the spirit of the occasion and joining in!

These annual Awards are designed to recognise the outstanding work of creative practitioners in East Kent: fine artists, performers, venues and commercial designers working in all mediums. They also celebrate and showcase the benefits that the creative industries bring to the East Kent region, helping it to become a prime tourist destination, a centre of excellence for arts education and a focal point for creative individuals and commercial organisations.

One of our first ‘gigs’ was to sing at the wedding of Nick and Emily Watts on 20 July, 2013.

Emily is the co-founder of CCGC, so it was all the more special to ‘serenade’ her and her new husband on their special day. The wedding ceremony took place in the beautiful medieval church in Harbledown, with the wedding reception also held in the village. The church’s acoustics certainly bolstered our performance!

Emily works for Music for Change, which brings culturally diverse music and dance into the classroom and the community. She is also the founder of Beautiful Town Music, which showcases local musical talent through regular events at the Gulbenkian Theatre main stage and café and other local venues. Emily herself is a talented singer/songwriter and has recently published her first EP ‘From the Blue’. The nautically-inspired album was written whilst Emily was artist in residence in the Little Blue Beach Hut on Tankerton slopes!