The solstice is almost upon us, and in the best traditions of midwinter we are planning to make a lot of noise. We have three musical interventions happening at Solstice Shorts 2015 Longest Night, with Vocal Chords, Annalie Wilson and Ian Kennedy & Sarah Lloyd

Here’s some music from Vocal Chords to get you in the mood –

Their CD of English Folk Carols will be available on the night.

 Annalie’s music is available here

And here’s Ian & Sarah at last year’s Solstice Shorts Festival

But the music doesn’t stop there. Wendy Gill, whose story A Little Favour we are reading on the 21st, has also written a Christmas single in aid of CRISIS UK,- (under her newly married name, Wendy Martin-Gray) Christmas Spell – buy it here

  YouTube here

A NEW CHRISTMAS ANTHEM TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CRISIS UK

“Christmas Spell” Brings the Warmth of the Season
to Help the Homeless

A brand new Christmas anthem, written by Wendy Martin-Gray and performed by a variety of musical theatre stars has been released to raise funds for Crisis UK, the national charity for single homeless people.  “Christmas Spell” literally spells out the spirit of Christmas in all the ways that represent being ‘home for holidays’.  But, for single homeless people, this can be a distant memory.  Working with award winning musical director Paul Boyd who gathered a choir of singers from the West End and produced the inspiring arrangement, Martin-Gray has created an instant classic that lifts the soul.

Performers include The Voice star Jordan Lee Davies (currently appearing in “Les Miserables” in the West End), Olivier Award-winning actress Leanne Jones, and “Mrs. Henderson Presents” star Jane Milligan along with other singers and even pipers from The Black Watch to create “The Stages of London Singers”.

“A Christmas Spell” is available on iTunes (click here), as well as Spotify, Amazon Music and from most online music retailers for just 79p. The promotional video is now online on YouTube here.  All profits raised will be presented to Crisis UK in the New Year.  Social media can be followed @crisispeople using the hashtag #christmasspell

“I wanted to do something meaningful this year to raise money and lift the spirits,” says composer Wendy Martin-Gray. “A Christmas Spell reminds us of the comforts of home and support at this time of year, something which Crisis works to provide for single homeless people.”

Ed Tait, Director of Fundraising for Crisis, said: “Homelessness is a devastating and isolating experience.  The average age of death for a homeless person is just 47. No one should face these dangers. But thanks to the dedication of our fundraisers, each year Crisis can help thousands of people to rebuild their lives. I want to say a huge thank you to Wendy for helping end homelessness for good.”