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The EAGA Gospel Choir was truly humbled to sing at the grand opening of Intrasound Music’s new store, now located in the Saffron Lane area of Leicester. The relocation from Narborough Road is especially exciting for us, as many of our choir members live in the local area. This is also the same neighbourhood for the Emmanu’-EL Apostolic Church, which governs the choir. Intrasound's new home is, quite literally, on our doorstep.

Gone are the days of trekking across town last-minute to replace a broken drumstick before a performance. Having a specialist music shop just around the corner makes sourcing musical equipment quicker and much more convenient for us.

Not only were we invited to perform a selection of gospel songs to help mark the occasion, but they welcomed us to pray a blessing over the new store. Pastor Samuel Gapara, a key member of our choir, led this special moment in prayer.

There is a heartfelt connection between the EAGA Gospel Choir and Intrasound. Years ago, we had the joy of singing at the wedding of the Intrasound store owner. Pastor Samuel himself shares a deep personal bond with the shop, as he testified during the opening event:

“When I came to the UK 25 years ago, I desperately wanted to play music but had nowhere to practice. I used to spend a lot of time at Intrasound on Narborough Road, just playing and learning. I bought my very first keyboard from them. Intrasound played a big part in my musical journey. It’s a place close to my heart, and I’m so thankful for how far I’ve come—from those early days to now playing in church and in the choir.”

We are proud to welcome Intrasound Music to our neighbourhood and excited to see them thrive in their new location.

Visit their website to learn more: www.intasound-music.co.uk

Snippet of her story

Thank You from the EAGA Gospel Choir

The EAGA Gospel Choir would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for joining us at the Praise Night Concert over Easter 2025 at the Y Theatre.

Your presence truly made the evening special. We deeply appreciate your support and hope you enjoyed the performance as much as we enjoyed sharing it with you.

We’re excited to share that, due to the overwhelming success of the event, another Praise Night Concert has been scheduled for 10th April 2026. We can’t wait to see you there! Buy your tickets here to avoid disappointment

With gratitude,
The EAGA Gospel Choir

See video summary of the night

This year, International Women’s Day, observed on March 8, 2025, embraces the theme of Inspire, a powerful call to uplift, empower, and celebrate the resilience of women across the world.

A divine appointment - the importance of keeping abreast of opportunities.

Sister Charmelle and Dr Krupa

Choir performing at Leicester Cathedral - NHS Concert
What a year 2024 has been for the EAGA Gospel Choir! The choir was awarded the prestigious City Of Leicester Award for the work the choir has done in the city throughout the years. We have recorded our first album at the renowned British Grove studios in London, You are in for a treat in 2025! We have celebrated with couples and their families in their nuptials in diversely, stunning locations such as at the Sudeley Castle in the Cotswolds, Rothwell church and the Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire. Additionally, we sang at our usual places including Melton Mowbray festivals, John Lewis Leicester store- where we performed in celebration of the Black history month. This contributed to them receiving Leicester’s Black History Awards 2024. We participated in a number of school assemblies and had some excellent workshops with students and members of the community.

The finale, however, was in December. The Christmas season has always been our busiest period, but this year in particular has been one of the busiest. The choir sang at over 30 events in December, sharing the joy of Christmas at carol services, restaurants, school workshops, charity events, hospitals, care homes, business offices , the John Lewis store, the Fosse Park shopping centre, parties, fairs and spontaneous Christmas sing-alongs. To add to all the fun we had the pleasure to perform at the Christmas family function of the famous boxer and former World Champion Anthony Joshua. Do check out snippets of the event on Instagram; it was a fabulous night: [AJ Christmas Vibes] and [AJ Photos]


Caption: Anthony Joshua with the EAGA Gospel Choir. Taken from AJ Instagram 

The choir extends our gratitude to our readers, subscribers, supporters, friends, family and the public for your unwavering support this Christmas and we hope that we have brought you all much joy and blessing through the singing of songs. We wish you all a happy new year 2025 with joy, peace and love.

We have so much in store for you in 2025. Just to highlight a few:

• Our upcoming debut album "I shall not die" with 10 songs written by members in the choir and two well known cover songs will be released.
• Join us at our concert on the 25th April 2025 entitled "Praise Night" at the Y-theatre in Leicester.
• Melton Mowbray festivals: 2025 dates: 24-25 May, 2-3 August, 4-5 October and 15-16 Nov.
• Rutland Showground show - 1 June 2025

Photo 1: Choir recording at the studios.   Photo 2: Choir at Hallaton Concert

"Have a blessed new year and may all that you desire and hope for come to fruition." -- EAGA Gospel Choir



 
Choir at Concert in Harby, Dec 2024


Choir after performing at wedding in Summer 2024 in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire

Ding dong merrily on high. What's your favourite carol this Christmas?

• ChocFest, Melton Mowbray – 16th–17th November  
• Christmas at the Cathedral - Wed, 4th December
• Harby Gospel Concert - Fri 6th December
• Christmas Carols at John Lewis, Highcross, Leicester – 7th, 8th, 14th, 16th & 21st December
• Loros light up a life  - Sun 8th December 
• YMCA Christmas Carol Service – Wed 11th December  
• Hallaton Christmas Concert - Fri 13th December
• Outdoor Carols at Fosse Park Shopping Centre – 14th, 15th, 21st–24th December  
• Charity Carol Service - for Maggie's Cancer Care Centre in Northampton – Wed 18th December

Comments

Oh Holy Night - Lisa, Loros 
When a Child is born - Cynthia
 

Music is a universal and enriching experience for all to enjoy. At EAGA, we recognise the profound impact of gospel music, which goes beyond mere enjoyment to uplift, inspire, and encourage, even in the face of life’s challenges. We are passionate about spreading the uplifting message of gospel music, leaving both listeners and participants with joy and smiles.

The EAGA Gospel Choir has proudly partnered with Leicestershire & Rutland Age UK to offer workshops for individuals affected by dementia. We kindly ask for your support in promoting this initiative by sharing information about the workshop with carers, and if you know someone living with dementia, why not encourage them to sign up today?

This NHS blog further emphasizes the powerful connection between music and dementia.

This workshop runs every first Friday of the month. 

FREE to take part. If you are a carer or if you know someone with dementia who would benefit from this workshop please book by contacting: 0116 223 7363 or email dementia.support@ageukleics.org.uk

Lovely video comment from father of the bride:

See below an inspring talk by Sister Ellah Kandi, Event Organiser at Emmanu'-EL Apostolic Church and member of the EAGA Gospel Choir who discusses her experience at the annual Church Prayer retreat at Highgate Conference Centre in summer 2024.


 

See full article on the CCT website.

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The EAGA Gospel Choir was deeply honoured and delighted to accept an invitation from the BBC Radio to attend its prestigious Community Awards Ceremony on Thursday, 5th September 2024. During the event, the choir performed the iconic song "Circle of Life" from The Lion King. Introduced as the champions of the BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year 2023, the choir more than lived up to their reputation, delivering a breathtaking rendition that earned rapturous applause from an absolutely enthralled and enraptured audience.

The atmosphere was charged with emotion, as the heartfelt and gripping stories behind each award moved many to tears. It was a powerful and compelling event, serving as a reminder of our shared humanity and prompting reflection on how we can better support one another in both local and national communities.




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The choir back stage at the awards:

On Sunday the 1st September the Oakham Baptist Church hosted an extraordinary community picnic in Cutts Close Park, Oakham.

The event commenced with a short church service.  Their praise and worship team led worship by singing some songs. The pastor’s sermon was about “Love”. He explored a question that many people have asked, if God loves the world, why does he not do anything about the sufferings? He used this question as an opportunity to preach about Jesus. He quoted from the Scriptures, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

It was especially a proud moment for the EAGA 7 Children’s Gospel Choir who were in full voice, bringing joy to the community of Oakham. They ministered for 30 glorious minutes. The British summer may be dwindling, but it was no coincidence that it was a beautiful day. The sun shined beautifully  on the young people as they belted their voices to God’s glory. They represented the academy wonderfully, giving their all in the ministration of a number of songs. They performed with all their hearts, demonstrating the love of Christ in their show of musical performance on the day.

This was the first major performance for the Children’s Choir this year as they often featured within the integrated mix of the adults’ choir, but exceptionally competent in holding their own when the adult’ choir ministered at various events. They had a breakthrough year in 2023 with a keynote performance at a concert put on by them at the St Wistan Church in Wistow. They raised money which was donated to two charities. Later the same year, they followed this up with a grand showing at the Isle of Man Festival of Choirs 2023. Due to their age they were not able to take part in the main competition but the judge recognised their musical quality by commended their outstanding performance and rewarded them with ‘distinction’ scores.

The park was full of people and everyone had their ears tuned to what they were singing.  All seats were occupied. They had their picnics and some purchased Afro-Caribbean food from the El-Ellah catering.

EAGA 7 Chldren's Choir in Performance

Gospel choir in Knighton Park 

The EAGA Gospel Choir  took part in Knighton Park's annual fun day 2024.
The choir had two slots where in we sang a number of songs from an extensive repertoire.  With the sun shining  brilliantly above we ministered to the audience that had their chairs lined around the parameters of the area reserved for performances.  They happily became involved in all that was going on as they were invited to join in and dance as the choir sang. The lead singers were apt and  motivated the choir and audience as they ministered to the Lord.

Thanks to "Friends of Knighton Park" for inviting us again to sing at this yearly event.

The Emmanu’-EL Apostolic Gospel Academy Choir  was  honoured by the Leicester City Council on Tuesday, 12th March, when we were conferred the City Of Leicester Award. This is a civic award that is awarded to people who have contributed much through their work in the city, making a difference to the lives of the people This was indeed a momentous occasion and fulfilment of the word of our Lord Jesus Christ. The choir has been a prominentforce in the city of Leicester for the past 20 years. We are an instrumental group that has worked tirelessly in supporting, motivating and implementing change in the lives of people. The choir was nominated for this prestigious award alongside two other nominees: Pamela Campbell-Morris, who was posthumously honoured for her work in raising awareness of the symptoms of prostate cancer within the black community and Geoff Rowe, who founded the Leicester Comedy Festival in 1994. It was indeed a time of celebration and jubilation as we witnessed our leader, Bishop Mark Anderson accepting the award ad addressing the audience,who had gathered in the room at City Hall in Leicester.



The choir has been a constant figure of inspiration and empowerment, using our musical talents to bring the people of Leicester together, therefore building a better community. Additionally, we have served through volunteering for a number of charitable events and have been an encouragement for so many, inspiring change in their lives. We have now joined the list of other well-known figures upon whom this award has been bestowed. These include both the present and former chairman of the Leicester City Football Club and also members of the team who were instrumental in finding the remains of King Richard III.

On accepting the award, Bishop Mark Anderson expressed his appreciation that the work of the choir within the community had finally been recognised. He expanded on the work of the choir and spoke of the humble beginnings and the faith that drove the inception of this group.He thanked the city council for the honour.