KCCF and Liberty Choir experience the transformative power of music

We were honoured and delighted to attend Liberty Choir’s first Friends & Family concert at HMP Brixton in its 19th century chapel.

King Charles III Charitable Fund has supported Liberty Choir with a 2-year grant, so this was an amazing opportunity for our team to join other guests including Jenny Agutter – Liberty Choir Ambassador, her fellow cast members of ‘Call the Midwife’ and the Ministry of Justice, to witness and participate in the life-changing work of Liberty Choir. 

Founded in 2014, this unique charity brings together prisoners and volunteers to form choirs, providing a rare opportunity for connection, rehabilitation, and hope through the universal language of music. 

These performances allow choir members to showcase their talents, dedication and hard work. For many prisoners, this transformative experience providesa real sense of achievement, building confidence and self-worth. 

From gospel to Vivaldi, from classics to contemporary pop, the range of songs performed was truly uplifting and unexpectedly moving at times. Audience participation was encouraged and welcomed and the sense of camaraderie between the choir and the audience was palpable.  

The performance fostered an environment where prejudices are set aside, and human connections were prioritized and forged. In the moment, there was a real sense of joy from all participants.

A member of the Choir said “It felt good to be able to show a bit of vulnerability because in this place you always have a tough exterior. It was great to be able to be sensitive and to let my guard down and open my voice. I found it therapeutic.”  

An audience member added “I found the whole thing utterly memorable. I had never been to a prison before. My overwhelming feeling was that Brixton is really trying to humanise the process as far as is possible. It must be SO difficult to inject a sense of kindness into the essential discipline needed to keep a prison operating. The fact that the event had such a human feeling was both surprising and very moving.” 

At its core, Liberty Choir is building bridges between disparate segments of society. The choir operates on a simple yet powerful premise: music can and does change lives. It stands as a testament to the power of music to heal, connect, and transform lives. 

The Governor of HMP Brixton said “Creating opportunity for hope and connection in our prisons is vital for our people in prison to feel self-worth and motivation to believe they can contribute more effectively on release. The Liberty Choir, led so passionately by MJ and Ginny, is an important space filled with support, feeling and compassion. We are proud to have them working with our staff to enable this for our population and their families. The concert was a joyous and inclusive occasion that brings together everything Liberty Choir represent. “ 

By bringing together prisoners and volunteers on a shared musical journey, the program not only enriches the lives of its participants but also sends a powerful message about the potential for rehabilitation for individuals who would ordinarily be isolated and cast aside with the stigma of being inside. KCCF are proud to be supporting such incredible work. 

If you would like to get involved or find out more about the extraordinary work of Liberty Choir, please visit their website Liberty Choir | Unlocking hearts through song