UK Gospel legend John Fisher will lead worship this week. Plus each afternoon he and his team will lead Gospel-singing workshops in separate groups for children and adults. You’ll get the chance to learn about technique, harmonies, solos and more.
At the weekend, more members of John’s IDMC Gospel Choir and band will join us at LPO.
Graduates of the afternoon workshops will join the choir and band to sing in a Gospel concert, backed by professional singers, keyboard, guitar and drums.
A bonus weekend concert is currently at the planning stage, reaching out to the local community with IDMC’s unique Gospel music message.
The Gospel-singing workshops
John and his team have been invited on a regular basis to conduct gospel choir workshops in Europe and beyond. Individuals and choirs from beyond these shores often turn to the UK as the closest source for authentic Gospel music.
Working on his We Sing U Sing project, John has conducted projects in Poland, Denmark, Germany, France and Italy with hundreds of enthusiastic participants.
A series of workshops conclude with a concert performance. The workshops include
- A brief history of Gospel Music
- The journey from Slavery to hip hop
- Teaching basic singing techniques
- Breathing techniques
- Unison singing
- Harmony singing
- Holding notes confidently
- Understanding rhythms
- Voice strengthening
- Confidence
- Solo singing
John Fisher and IDMC
John Fisher played drums for Chaka Khan, Mica Paris, Denise Williams and London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) before starting IDMC Gospel Choir. IDMC celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2019 with a 30-date international tour.
Steeped in Gospel music from an early age, John has worked with LCGC’s Basil Meade and Karen Gibson of Kingdom Choir, now famous for their part in the 2018 Royal Wedding.
IDMC includes up to 25 members from various Christian backgrounds plus a small group of professional musicians. They have amassed nine albums including one recorded at Le Pas Opton in 2012.
The choir were finalists in BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year in 2018 when they also won Premier Radio’s Gospel Choir of the Year and an Urban Music Award for Best Gospel Act 2018.
John’s schools project We sing, U sing has helped thousands of young people to learn and experience Gospel music for themselves – including spectacular finale concerts with the IDMC choir and band. His teaching experience, musical genius and above all his love for Jesus Christ blend together as he leads and inspires at LPO in 2021.
