Bradford Cathedral is the glorious backdrop for this evening of celebratory verse and music from across the religious spectrum. With performances from a host of talented artists, the concert will feature different kinds of devotional musical styles, from naats and bhajans to kirtans, choirs and chants, alongside sacred spoken word poetry.

We’ll hear musical offerings from representatives of multiple faiths, including the Bradford Cathedral Choir, the Sacred Wing choir, Gurbani Kirtan performer Keertan Rahal, artistic director and choreographer Geetha Upadhyaya, poet and resident at the Jewish Museum, London Aviva Dautch and genre-hopping singer Shabnam Khan as part of what promises to be a memorable evening of uplifting words and music, presided over by the Very Revd Jerry Lepine.

bradford cathedral

Contributors

Jerry Lepine

The Very Revd Jerry Lepine has been Dean of Bradford since 2013. Since being in Bradford he has been involved in the creation of Yorkshire’s new super diocese and has particularly enjoyed the Cathedral’s involvement with city life and regeneration.  His wide-ranging interests include sport, cinema, music and travel.

Geetha Upadhyaya

Geetha Upadhyaya trained in classical Indian dance and music and also worked as a NHS Consultant. As Kala Sangam’s Artistic Director, Geetha is committed to creating and sharing great art in inclusive ways. For this event, Geetha will interpret ancient Hindu verses, which spread the message of global harmony and peace.

Aviva Dautch

Aviva Dautch teaches English Literature and Creative Writing at the British Library, works as a Creative Producer for Bethlem Museum of the Mind and is Poet in Residence at the Institute of Psychoanalysis. Her collection ‘When the World Was Rotting’ won the Poetry School / Nine Arches Press 2017 Primers prize.

About The Musicians

Keertan Kaur Rehal

Keertan Kaur Rehal has held a passion for music since the age of four, when she began performing Indian classical music at the Sikh Centre in Leeds.  She has undertaken a number of residencies in South Asia, and now works as both a performer and teacher of music.

Bradford Cathedral Choir

Bradford Cathedral Choir leads the choral worship at the Cathedral, as well as touring, recording and broadcasting. The choir is professionally directed by Alexander Woodrow and has an extensive repertoire ranging from plainchant to the present day. The choir’s latest CD, a recording of settings of the Evening Canticles, includes our own Bradford Service by celebrated composer Humphrey Clucas

Sacred Wing Choir

Sacred Wing happens because some members of the Leeds-based LGBT choir Gay Abandon and some members of All Hallows Church like to sing sacred choral music with a few friends every Christmas. Membership changes from year to year but a core team gives continuity. They have been performing since 1999 and will sing excerpts from Faure’s Requiem during this event.

Shabnam Khan

Shabnam Khan has been singing professionally since her school days, always enjoying music from several genres including ghazal, geet, Punjabi folk and Sufiana Kalam. She sings in many languages and has performed alongside artists including Ghulam Ali, Mehndi Hassan and Rajab Ali, Alaap, Heera, Arif Lohar, So Solid Crew, The Dhol Foundation and Fun-Da-Mental. She is currently working on a Shabd album with Sunil Kalyan and Bindi Sagoo.