2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I. St Luke’s community choir, Vox Holloway, will be marking the centenary with a performance on Sunday 20 July – not with a war requiem or medley of popular wartime songs, but by celebrating harmony across the ages.

The 70-strong choir will explore the concept of universal harmony through works by composers from Germany, Austria and England. Entitled “From Harmony”, the programme includes Handel’s Ode For St Cecilia’s Day, Vaughan Williams’ Serenade To Music, and Haydn’s Missa Sancti Nicolai. The choir will be joined by a 20-piece baroque orchestra and acclaimed guest tenor soloist, Simon Walton.

Justin Butcher, founder and artistic director of the choir, says, “We needed a way to commemorate World War I that also reflected the ethos of our choir, which is that music brings people together. What better way than to sing some of the most beautiful music from Germany, Austria and England that celebrates harmony and humanity? As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, ‘Music is the universal language of mankind’. And so, as a way of remembering conflict, we’re celebrating the unifying power of music.”

Founded in 2009, Vox Holloway (“Voice of Holloway”) is a community choir open to all, which performs an eclectic range of classical, ecclesiastical, folk, pop and world music. Its performances have raised more than £60,000 for charities all over the world, including over £10,000 for Hand In Hand for Syria in December 2013.

Tickets for this musical spectacular on 20 July cost £12 (£8 concessions) and are available from http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-harmony-tickets-12110487795?aff=es2&rank=1 or on the door. Doors open at 7pm, and the performance begins at 7.30pm. We hope to see you there!