This appeal aims to support three, brand new children's choirs in Tower Hamlets across their first year of life, each founded and led by east London-born musician Jonathan Pease.

East London Children's Choir

East London Children's Choir was established in April 2023 to give the first performance of A Fair Field, a brand new work about the 1888 Bow Matchgirls' Strike.

The choir continues with a simple aim: to provide a high quality children's choir for East London, completely free of charge, in a secular context. The group currently has sixteen members, which will grow in preparation for our spring concert in the Canary Wharf Roof Garden and our summer concert at a currently top secret location.

Money raised will support the provision of an Assistant Music Leader at rehearsals, the engagement of guest musicians for our concerts and hire of a rehearsal space in Bow. www.eastlondonchildrenschoir.com

All Saints Poplar Junior Choir

All Saints Poplar is a 200-year-old Georgian church in the heart of the East End, currently enjoying a period of revitalisation.

The Junior Choir at All Saints was established in September 2023 and is a key part of the church's engagement with children and families, as well as supporting its musical ambitions. The choir comprises a younger group, covering the basics of singing and music in a relaxed, playful way; alongside a more advanced, older group, who focus on music-reading and prepare to sing services such as Evensong. A unique feature of this choir's output is "Mini Mattins", a bespoke children's choral service ending with a children's address.

Beginning with ten members, the group is now enjoying a membership drive in preparation for an upcoming Christmas Carol Service.

Money raised will support the provision of an Assistant Music Leader at rehearsals and services.

Bethnal Green Junior Choir

Bethnal Green Junior Choir was also established in September 2023. The choir comprises an after-school club running at St. John on Bethnal Green primary school and an open-access group meeting at St. James the Less, Bethnal Green church.

Also a church-based choir, the group sings services at St. John on Bethnal Green and St. James the Less churches, with their first term including Choral Evensong for All Saints' Day, a service of Advent Meditations and a service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

Money raised will support the costs of guest organists and music leaders and music purchase.

Here are three fantastic new opportunities for children to enjoy a first-rate, free musical education in the heart of east London. Any support you can offer is hugely appreciated and will help us to stabilise and grow these.