CONCERT FOR CLATTERBRIDGE

A Celebration of Song for Clatterbridge

Merseyside is rightly synonymous with outstanding singing, and this spirit was on full display at a spectacular Gala Concert for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity – a special evening of pop, gospel, soul and musical theatre that celebrated both musical excellence and community generosity.

Spearheaded by the Formby High School Music Department, the glittering event brought together four of the region’s finest contemporary choirs. Formby High School proudly showcased its own ensembles, led by the electrifying G:Force Gospel Choir – the ‘Pride of Sefton 2025’ award-winning community choir whose infectious energy filled the room – alongside Voiceworks, the school’s vibrant choir championing pop and musical theatre repertoire for a new generation.

Joining them were regular collaborators, the Liverpool Show Choir, delivering powerful harmonies across West End favourites and pop classics, and the evening’s newest ensemble, the Sefton Voice Collective. This exciting group features some of the very best 14-19-year-old singers from across Sefton and marked a stunning debut on a large-scale stage.

The second half of the concert raised the bar even higher, featuring brand-new choral collaborations and several special guest appearances. The audience was captivated by the soulful voices of sisters Dominique and Marietta Daly, as well as Formby High School alumnus Elliott Evans, recently seen performing on Channel 4’s Your Song.

A packed audience was treated to an exhilarating programme spanning a wide range of genres — from contemporary artists such as Gregory Porter (Revival), Self Esteem (Focus Is Power) and JP Cooper (Holy Water), to musical theatre highlights from Rent, Dreamgirls, Wicked and Hamilton, alongside pop favourites from Chappell Roan, Ed Sheeran and K Pop Demon Hunters.

One of the most moving moments of the evening was the world premiere of a new charity recording of Julia Fordham’s 1990s classic River. Recorded in March at The Arch Recording Studio in Southport, the track features all four choirs alongside guest voices from across the Clatterbridge community — many of whom joined the performers on stage for an emotional and unforgettable live performance. This song is now available to listen to on YouTube using this link: ‘River’ charity recording for Clatterbridge

The concert concluded with a breath-taking finale of This Is Me, delivering a powerful message of strength, resilience and solidarity for everyone supported by the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. Helen McLoughlin, Corporate Fundraising Manager for the charity, addressed the audience, praising the “insane talent” on display and thanking everyone involved for making the evening such a remarkable success. The concert raised over £3,000.

Grateful thanks go to the collective musical directors Steve Cook, Beth Dilworth and Ros Jones, whose vision brought the event together, as well as to the Clatterbridge Southport volunteers, the Prince of Wales Hotel events team for hosting the concert, and Moonlight Events for their invaluable technical support.