Melissa James | Singer-Songwriter | Official Website — Tag Archive — singingsinging Archives - Page 3 of 3 Melissa James | Singer-Songwriter

Stronger on Sundays – Sunday 24 January, 1800-2000 GMT

Stronger on Sundays returns with music held right at its centre. S.O.S offers an online space in which music is used to build community around social issues. Musicians and artists offer their expressions through live performance. Together guests share their thoughts on matters ranging from injustice and equity to our shared human experiences and connections to each other. Together, we can listen. We can learn. We can reflect. What started as a bit of a whimsical idea has turned into a daily song performance every weekday for the last thirteen weeks. I never quite "got" why I would do this initially. I knew it felt right to do it - and I always follow my heart and gut. But initially, I couldn't quite see the benefit.

You can now register to join this Stronger on Sundays event taking place this Sunday 24 January, from 1800 to 2000 GMT

TO REGISTER FOR THE ZOOM LINK, PLEASE CLICK HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkd-Goqz0iGtGjuqZAto_bOjnHx5w-OsD2

This Sunday, Stronger on Sundays returns with music held right at its centre. S.O.S offers a safe space in which music is used to build a community of like-minded seekers of spiritual answers to current social dilemmas. Musicians and artists offer their expressions through live performance. Together guests share their thoughts on matters ranging from injustice and equity to our shared human experiences and connections to each other. Together, we can listen. We can learn. We can reflect. We can grow.

Joining me in the room this Sunday is:

Ben Okafor: a Nigerian born “Socio-spiritual conscious” musician whose music and early life were shaped by his childhood experiences as a victim of the civil war in Nigeria and at the age of 13, he fought as a boy soldier. The pain and destruction he witnessed during that period soon began to influence the lyrics he wrote; his songs reflecting a heart-felt plea for justice, truth and love.

Rowland Sutherland: an esteemed flautist of West Indian heritage whose accomplishments have seen him enjoy an international career in varying fields from orchestral (Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, London Philharmonic) to pop, jazz and world music, having worked alongside Nitin Sawhney, Courtney Pine, Marc Almond and Joss Stone.

Dr Kathy Bullock: is an educator, scholar, singer, accompanist, arranger and choral conductor who specialises in gospel music, spirituals and classical works by composers from the African diaspora. A Professor Emerita of Music from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, she is currently teaching, performing, and conducting workshops and other programs on African American music throughout the United States, Europe, and Africa.

REGISTER TO JOIN US ON ZOOM – SUNDAY 24 JANUARY, 2021 – 1800 TO 2000 GMT

TO JOIN US PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE ZOOM LINK HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkd-Goqz0iGtGjuqZAto_bOjnHx5w-OsD2

DONATIONS: Give What You Can

As well as encouraging important reflections around spiritual and social matters, Stronger on Sundays invites us all to consider our thoughts on how we give and receive. S.O.S endeavours to foster in us all a desire to keep the giving-and-receiving wheel turning and in a balance.

The invitation is to be guided by your heart centre in deciding what monetary contribution you can offer.

As a rough guide, a contribution of £5 to £25 (or your currency equivalent) is suggested but please adjust the amount to comfortably suit your own budget. This is about heart-giving.

All monies offered will be equally shared between all participants. In choosing to participate in this event, each contributor is donating their time, gifts and energies as they believe in the importance of giving voice to the subjects being raised.

Monetary offerings can be made via the Stronger on Sundays Paypal account by clicking here: http://paypal.me/strongeronsundays

PLEASE NOTE

Stronger on Sundays is part of Melissa’s SING4SANE community Big Sing & mental health project. You can learn more about this on YouTube.

One Morning Song

"A Song a Day Keeps the Blues Away" -- Perhaps this should be the tag line. OMS has definitely been an aid to me. What started as a bit of a whimsical idea has turned into a daily song performance every weekday for the last thirteen weeks. I never quite "got" why I would do this initially. I knew it felt right to do it - and I always follow my heart and gut. But initially, I couldn't quite see the benefit.

“A Song a Day Keeps the Blues Away” — Perhaps this should be the tag line. OMS has definitely been an aid to me.

What started as a bit of a whimsical idea has turned into a daily song performance every weekday for the last thirteen weeks. I never quite “got” why I would do this initially. I knew it felt right to do it – and I always follow my heart and gut. But initially, I couldn’t quite see the benefit.

Now on Day 3 of my thirteenth week, I get it. It has become a beautiful way to connect with the few people that are up and who choose to connect with me in this way at this time. It has also taken me on a little adventure, mapping the songs and music that has helped me journey towards the person I find myself to be today. I have loved revisiting jazz standards and other songs that I used to sing many years ago when I began singing. Thinking about all the people who might have introduced these songs to me or the artists from whom I learned as I was singing these songs. All the influences I had which have helped form me. Certainly, these past weeks have been a training ground for me – pushing myself beyond my boundaries and out of my comfort zone. I might decide to play the guitar, accompanying myself on a song that I haven’t played before, or at all. And singing first thing in the morning having not seen or said a peep to anyone – not sung or hummed a note – can be a challenge. I am gently warming-up my vocal engine in the process of delivering the song. But I think, more than anything, I am realising it is becoming a training ground for an aspect of me that has only really begun to venture out from behind the shadows since I started the OMS series. My inner storyteller. The revelation of little anecdotes and tales with maybe a drop-or-two of insight or wisdom that I have gathered from reading or listening to wise teachers, gurus and others, or through doing my own daily spiritual practice. I have discovered that I really love connecting with people in this way. And through the mode of song.

No idea how long I will continue on this One Morning Song path. I have learned pretty well by now not to overthink or overly plan anything. So we will see. But OMS has become a really lovely feature in my day. A little bit of fun and a light bit of daily challenge. While the sessions continue, you are welcome to join me anytime. I go live on Facebook at 0800 GMT each morning of the week, though I rest at weekends. And all the previous week’s recordings remain to be viewed at a time that might better suit you.

Click here to join me on my Facebook Page.

Join the Big Sing 4 Peace – 1 January 2021

On Friday 1 January 2021 from 2000 to 2145 GMT, I am planning a Big Sing for Peace. Everyone and anyone is invited to join me in this virtual space on Zoom. We will sing for joy, not judgement, setting an intention of holding peace in our hearts and sending peace into the world. This event is free and open to all, wherever you are in the world. However, I will be asking for donations to go towards 3 charities. These are Plum Village UK (PVUK) - created by spiritual leader and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. PVUK promotes Plum Village mindfulness in the UK. The Haven + London - a unique community where the creators, thinkers and change-makers of our world can find balance, peace and inner strength to be the best that they can be. Finally, Love is Kindness which aims to create a world that works for everyone. They support global projects for women, children, health, education and the environment. An invite is extended to you wherever you are in the world. The event, which will start at 2000 GMT, will be held on Zoom. You will need to register to join. Registration will be open soon however you can email your interest to sing4sane @ gmail.com. Details will then be sent to you when the registration page is open. This event is part of my SING4SANE project. You can learn about this by watching the SING4SANE promo video here. And you can hear the SING4SANE music video of Live Again here on YouTube.

Registration is now open to join the Big Sing 4 Peace I am holding on Friday 1 January 2021 at 2000 GMT.

I am extending a heartfelt and warm invitation to you to join me on the 1st January as we sing-in the New Year with the intention of peace resonating and emanating from our hearts.

Everyone is welcome to this special event which begins takes place between 2000 to 2145 GMT. We will meet in the virtual space on Zoom, singing for joy not judgement.

This event is free and open to all, wherever you may be in the world. For those who are able to make a donation, I kindly ask you to consider doing so. Any amount is humbly requested and gratefully received. An amount of £5 to £50 (or your currency equivalent) is suggested to be shared between 3 charities, all doing invaluable work – particularly in these times. Donations are taken via Paypal.

These charities are Plum Village UK (PVUK) which promotes mindfulness in the UK. Donations will provide worldwide support of the teachings of spiritual leader and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh and the work of their monastics. The Haven + London – a unique community where the creators, thinkers and change-makers of our world can find balance, peace and inner strength to be the best that they can be. Finally, Love is Kindness which aims to create a world that works for everyone. They support global projects for women, children, health, education and the environment.

Please visit the Zoom page to register and to receive the event link. Please note you will need to have a Zoom account in order to join this event.

To donate, please head to the Paypal page.

This event is part of my SING4SANE Big Sing project. You can learn about this by watching the SING4SANE promo video here. And you can hear the SING4SANE music video of Live Again here on YouTube.

Big Sing 4 Peace

On Friday 1 January 2021 from 2000 to 2145 GMT, I am planning a Big Sing for Peace. Everyone and anyone is invited to join me in this virtual space on Zoom. We will sing for joy, not judgement, setting an intention of holding peace in our hearts and sending peace into the world. This event is free and open to all, wherever you are in the world. However, I will be asking for donations to go towards 3 charities. These are Plum Village UK (PVUK) - created by spiritual leader and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. PVUK promotes Plum Village mindfulness in the UK. The Haven + London - a unique community where the creators, thinkers and change-makers of our world can find balance, peace and inner strength to be the best that they can be. Finally, Love is Kindness which aims to create a world that works for everyone. They support global projects for women, children, health, education and the environment. An invite is extended to you wherever you are in the world. The event, which will start at 2000 GMT, will be held on Zoom. You will need to register to join. Registration will be open soon however you can email your interest to sing4sane @ gmail.com. Details will then be sent to you when the registration page is open. This event is part of my SING4SANE project. You can learn about this by watching the SING4SANE promo video here. And you can hear the SING4SANE music video of Live Again here on YouTube.

On Friday 1 January 2021 from 2000 to 2145 GMT, I am planning a Big Sing for Peace. Everyone and anyone is invited to join me in this virtual space on Zoom. We will sing for joy, not judgement, setting an intention of holding peace in our hearts and sending peace into the world.

This event is free and open to all, wherever you are in the world. However, I will be asking for donations to go towards 3 charities. These are Plum Village UK (PVUK) – created by spiritual leader and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. PVUK promotes Plum Village mindfulness in the UK. The Haven + London – a unique community where the creators, thinkers and change-makers of our world can find balance, peace and inner strength to be the best that they can be. Finally, Love is Kindness which aims to create a world that works for everyone. They support global projects for women, children, health, education and the environment.

An invite is extended to you wherever you are in the world. The event, which will start at 2000 GMT, will be held on Zoom. You will need to register to join. Registration will be open soon however you can email your interest to sing4sane @ gmail.com. Details will then be sent to you when the registration page is open.

This event is part of my SING4SANE project. You can learn about this by watching the SING4SANE promo video here. And you can hear the SING4SANE music video of Live Again here on YouTube.