WALTHAMSTOW: Choir leader speaks on FA Cup performance (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAMSTOW: Choir leader speaks on FA Cup performance

5:14pm Tuesday 2nd June 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)

THE Walthamstow-based London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) have performed at the FA Cup final.

And founder Reverend Bazil Meade has spoken of the “fabulous” experience of leading a rendition of Abide With Me at the match on May 30.

Rev Meade, 58, who founded the choir 27 years ago and remains the director, said: “The atmosphere was unbelievable.

“There were 90,000 human beings with emotions running beyond 100 miles an hour.

“For LCGC to be given the opportunity to lead that throng in a rendition of Abide With Me, which has over 50 years of tradition, was a wonderful privilege.”

The choir is based at Brookdale House, in Brookdale Road, Walthamstow and approached ITV in 2008 with the idea of recording a gospel version of the FA Cup anthem.

“I had the idea of recording a one-minute demo, which they accepted,” Rev Meade said.

“Then the approach was made to the FA to have the choir singing on the pitch on the day of the final.”

Their version of Abide With Me was also recorded as a single and was used in the television trailers for the FA Cup.

But LCGC are no strangers to the limelight and have worked with the likes of Sting, Madonna, Blur and Luther Vandross.

Rev Meade, of Highams Park, said: “The most memorable was Luther Vandross. We rehearsed for four days in Docklands and then transferred to the Royal Albert Hall to record an album.

“He has an amazing voice.”

Living in Capworth Street, Leyton when he began LCGC in 1982, Rev Meade's home became a “drop-in centre” for its members.

“There were 18 or 19 of us at first,” he said.

“It was formed to get musicians to come together from different churches and organisations and celebrate music used in church.”

Rev Meade is now looking towards forming a music school to “help change lives through music”.

He said: “We'd like our own performing and teaching space, preferably within Waltham Forest.”

wf0206 – choir1 and 2

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)