10 & 17 Jun 2025
Cemetery songwriting workshops
Commoners Choir
Free songwriting workshops in Undercliffe Cemetery, celebrating Bradford's workers.
As part of Bradford 2025, Commoners Choir are inviting local people or anyone with a connection to Undercliffe Cemetery, to write and perform a new song remembering the forgotten backbone of the Industrial Revolution and Bradford’s growth – the workers.
The project will be led by experienced songwriter and Choir leader Boff Whalley and is in two parts – people can join Boff for a songwriting workshop held from 7pm – 9pm in the Lodge at the cemetery on June the 10th and the 17th, or they can join the choir to sing the song at rehearsals on June the 24th and July 1st – or they can do both! There will be a filmed performance of the final song at the cemetery on the 5th of July.
Songs have historically been part of the culture of remembering, and honouring those who have died. They can be an important part of the funeral service, the grieving process and the memorialising of a person’s life and work. Songs can give people a sense of communal acknowledgement of both sorrow and respect and can be passed on through the generations.
The aim is to create a song dedicated to the working people of Bradford that both empowers participants and serves as a lasting legacy that can be sung for years to come.
Get Involved
Songwriting workshops will be held at the Lodge at Undercliffe Cemetery on 10 & 17 June from 7pm – 9pm. Singing rehearsals will be held on 25 June and the 2 July from 7pm – 9pm at St Augustines Otley Road BD3 0DR.
The final performance will be filmed at Undercliffe Cemetery on 5 July. To book a free workshop place or for more information go to www.undercliffecemetery.co.uk
