Celebrating partnerships through music

York charity Accessible Arts and Media are holding a concert at York St John next month to celebrate more than 20 years of partnership working with the university.

The evening, on 2 April, will feature a range of musical performances including singing and signing choir Hands and Voices, YSJ Gospel Choir, YSJU Big Band and East Meets West, a fusion of Chinese and British music.

The Accessible Arts and Media’s choir, Hands and Voices, was set up 15 years ago to enable people with learning and communication difficulties to express themselves through creativity, and have since achieved national recognition for their achievements.

The long-standing partnership between the charity and York St John University has seen the development of student placement programmes and a series of live performances, including an annual joint concert with Hands and Voices.

Rose Kent, Accessible Arts and Media Managing Director, said: “We are very proud of our partnership with York St John University and our annual joint concert is always one of the highlights of our year – this year’s promises to be no exception!”

The concert is part of this year’s York Open Studios, an annual event that provides opportunities for people to visit artists’ studios and exhibitions to promote participation in the visual arts.

Rose said: “Special thanks go to York Open Studios for including us in their programme for 2014, it’s fantastic to be involved in their celebration and showcase of local creative talent.”

All funds raised on the night will be in aid of Accessible Arts and Media, a charity that helps change the lives of disabled people and disadvantaged young people in the North Yorkshire region through arts, music and media projects.

Hands and Voices was one of the first singing and signing choirs in the UK and has been running for more than 15 years. It now has 50 members and in 209 was shortlisted for a Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award for Education.

The concert will be at 7.30pm in Temple Hall on Wednesday 2 April. Tickets are £7, £4 for concessions, and will be available on the door on the night.