This Christmas we are raising money to fund our first EP, with our very special Christmas Advent Crowdfundeer!…

…and we need your help to make this happen! Please SHARE this far and wide to spread the Christmas Crowdfundcheer and support us in reaching our goal of £2.5k!!

From Dec 1st – Dec 24th prize draw tickets will be available via our website, giving you the chance to win one or more of our amazing prizes!

At 8pm each day a new Christmas Advent Crowdfundeer door will be opened and the draw will take place.

We will reveal the daily prize and announce the winners on Facebook Live. Follow our Facebook page HERE.

More information on how to buy prize draw tickets will be announced here and on our Facebook page very soon.

Our gifts include…

Spa afternoon & Dim Sum

A luxury overnight stay for two at a Castle, including dinner, breakfast and use of the hotel facilities.

Dinner for 2 at an award winning Devon vineyard

Horse Riding on Dartmoor

Canoe/Bike  Hire on the River Exe

Free entry to a grand Devon estate tour and afternoon tea

A private Tango dance lesson for 2 people

Private 1-1 Yoga session with local instructor

1-1 Life Coaching session

…and soooooooo many more!

The winner of the gift behind each door will be chosen at random. Prize draw tickets must be purchased before the Christmas Advent Crowdfundeer door reveal. Valid tickets will continue onto the next day or until the final door has been opened on Dec 24th.

You can also just go ahead and donate to the crowdfundeer via our website. Donation button available soon. 

More about the EP: 

The EP of original songs and arrangements is an extensive and ambitious project, taking over a year to produce. ‘It’s been an absolute dream come true to finally create an EP, showcasing Soul of the City Gospel Choir, who have worked so hard on developing their sound’ – Choir Director, Emma Watson. The EP production includes Abbey Road Studios and a team of local artists and producers. Filmed beautifully by Hannah Earl Films, with live audio recording by Rawcus Studios and mastered at Abbey Road Studios. Followed by film production and editing by Emma Watson, Hannah Earl and Josh Westrip. 

The EP has seven of Devons best musicians, making up the Soul of the City Gospel Band – Alfie Pugh (keys & organ), Alex Wanikowski (guitar), AJ Shaw (bass) and Nick Watson (drums) plus our brass section Josh Westrip (trumpet), Dan Hillman (saxophone) and Andy Dore (trombone). A forty strong gospel choir made up of members from Soul of the City Gospel Choir Exeter, who rehearse together each week, developing their powerful UK Urban Contemporary Gospel sound. Songs include three original tracks written by Emma Watson, Alfie Pugh and the Soul of the City gospel band and a fourth song arranged by Emma Watson. 

Song 1 of the EP is ‘Hallelujah! It’s a Brand New Day’, our newest original song, written by Emma Watson and the Soul of the City Gospel Band members, this song really sets the tone of the EP and the unreserved and authentic joy of SOTC gospel choir. Upbeat, driven and full of twists and turns, song 1 has UK Urban Contemporary Gospel Music written all over it, with its fusion of gospel harmonies, rock, and R&B vocal riffs. The second track of the EP is a soulful mid tempo melodic banger. ’Something Better’, written by Emma Watson and Alfie Pugh, has a PJ Morton vibe, bouncy and light, reminiscent of a late 90’s soul jam fused with harmony and texture likened to The Carpenters. The third song is an arrangement of a cover of Chandelier, originally written by Sia and covered by Fatai. Full of close harmonies, swells and emotion, Choir Director, Emma Watson’s arrangement of this pop hit is euphoric and timeless. The final song of the EP was written specifically for the choir, by Emma Watson and Alfie Pugh. The Light We Carry tells a story of community, support, love and respect for one another. In a world of disconnection, The Light We Carry reminds us that we are not alone and there is always light in the darkness, we just have to walk toward it, together. This is the power of the light we carry. 

This masterpiece embodies a new wave of UK Urban Contemporary Gospel Music following in the footsteps of LCGC, the Kingdom Choir and House Gospel Choir. Filmed at the incredible Devon & Exeter Institution, one of the oldest libraries, beautifully refurbished to its original state. In 1840, the library housed its very own musical society. ‘Bringing music back into this beautiful library setting was just such a pleasure’ – Emma Dunn, D&EI Director. 

If you are a business and would like to sponsor our Christmas Advent Crowdfundeer, please contact nick@soulofthecity.co.uk