This year, the Exeter Big Noise Chorus annual Christmas Concert, on Thursday 3rd December, will raise deaf awareness by teaching audience members to sign popular Christmas songs alongside their usual toe-tapping musical score.
Big Noise Chorus believe everyone should be able to enjoy Christmas to the fullest and have taken this view with their forthcoming performance. The concert will be raising money for Exeter Deaf Academy, but also raising deaf awareness by teaching the audience how to sign songs in British Sign Language and incorporating a signing choir. This means the concert will be more accessible to a deaf audience and concert attendees will understand more about the impact of deafness as well as learning some basic seasonal sign language.
Both Big Noise Chorus and Exeter Deaf Academy students have been busy rehearsing for the big event. There will be a special performance of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer signed by Deaf Academy students and supported by Big Noise Chorus. O Come All Ye Faithful and Silent Night, as well as being performed by the choir, will also be signed by Deaf Academy students and taught to the audience. Big Noise Chorus and Exeter Deaf Academy hope the event will be thought-provoking as well as an evening of festive celebration.
Colin Rea, Big Noise Chorus Founder, said: “Having some personal experience of how deafness can impact on a loved one’s life, this is a cause close to my heart. At Big Noise Chorus we are thrilled to be able to work with Exeter Deaf Academy to bring this unique concert to life, creating an evening of festive celebration as well as awareness”.
Jonathan Farnhill, CEO of Exeter Deaf Academy, added: “We are delighted Big Noise Chorus has chosen to both raise money for Exeter Deaf Academy and make their concert more accessible for a Deaf audience. It’s sure to be a fun festive event where the audience will also gain some skills and knowledge they can use to connect with Deaf people and involve them more during the holidays and beyond. We urge people to come and support this special event”.
Held on Thursday 3rd December in Southernhay URC Church this is a Christmas concert with a difference and a night not to be missed. The concert starts at 8pm, with doors opening at 7.30pm. Tickets can be bought online on Big Noise Chorus’ website http://www.bignoisechorus.co.uk/ or on the door. Tickets cost £8 for adults and £5 for children.