Hands & Voices, the singing and signing choir from York, will join forces again with York St John University’s Big Band and Gospel Choir for the Out Of This World concert in the university chapel on Wednesday.

“We’re delighted to be invited back to the university, where we were the first community ensemble in residence in 2010,” says Rose Kent, director of the Accessible Arts & Media charity, which runs the choir at Burton Stone Lane Community Centre.

“In true Hands & Voices style, there’ll be a unique blend of well-loved classics and new works written by the choir themselves.

“So get on board our rocket ship, get lost in space, walk on the moon, dance round the planets and experience the final countdown.”

The 7.30pm performance will also feature a devised interpretation of the universe, created by the university’s applied theatre students and members of Hands & Voices.

Hands & Voices have been working with York St John for nearly ten years.

“On behalf of York St John University and the Faculty of Arts, I’m delighted once more to welcome the inspirational Hands & Voices choir,” says senior lecturer Chris Bartram.

“This innovatory and exciting partnership between the university and the choir is a mutually beneficial one – socially, educationally, musically – and we very much look forward to continuing to develop our relationship in years to come.”

The concert line-up will be completed by Sound Weavers, another Accessible Arts and Media group of musicians and composers with disabilities, who will perform a series of musical soundscapes “exploring space and themes of galactic proportion using accessible technology”. “So strap in and prepare to be woven with sound to another nebula,” says Rose.

The Out Of This World event has been sponsored by the Rotary Club of York Vikings, with additional funding and support from the City of York Council, York St John University, York Common Good Fund and others.

Tickets cost £5, concessions £3, on the door.


Did you know?

Hands & Voices Choir is the first choir nationally to develop a pioneering communication programme, based on signs, symbols and songs, which enables those with communication difficulties to express themselves more easily.

Made up of disabled and able-bodied members, the choir aims to integrate individuals with disabilities more fully within their community. One of their innovative projects was short-listed for a Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Education in 2009.