The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacons
A Song for the CommonwealthFind out about the choirs
Meet the choirs hereAs a special tribute to Her Majesty The Queen, a brand new Song for the Commonwealth was commissioned and sung by choirs in all 54 Commonwealth countries at the same time as the lighting of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons on June 2nd 2022.
The Commonwealth Resounds was delighted and honoured to be organising this important element of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons.
In celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s extraordinary 70 year dedicated reign over the UK and the Commonwealth, the lighting of the Beacons will occur on 2nd June 2022 throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and for the 'first time,' in each of the Capital Cities of the Commonwealth. I thought it would add to this special moment in The Queen’s life, if a new song was sung by individual choirs throughout the Commonwealth as the Beacons are lit throughout the various time zones, on 2nd June next year. I could think of no better organisation than my friends from The Commonwealth Resounds to organise this competition to find the winning song to be sung during this historic evening of celebration.
Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR
Pageantmaster, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons
Listen here
Gabriel Taylor
Gabriel Taylor, a brilliant young musician currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music in the UK, has produced a fantastic jazz arrangement featuring singer Lucy-Anne Daniels.
Full Choir
We started our project with a virtual recording mid lockdown. We were delighted to have 4 parts fully represented by young professional singers from across the Commonwealth.
Lorraine Lionheart
Lorraine Lionheart from Botswana has kindly produced a fabulous arrangment of the Song for the Commonwealth.
Pan African Choir Uganda
A Life Lived with Grace has been translated into a number of languages already, here we share a wonderful version in Swahili from the Pan African Choir Uganda. Featuring Ugandan musicians, scenery and dancers!
Special thanks to Simon Yiga and the Pan-African Choir of Uganda for creating this wonderful video and the Royal Society of St George for their kind sponsorship.
Hurdy Gurdy Arrangement
Steve Tyler has produced this amazing Hurdy Gurdy arrangement of A life Lived With Grace. We love the creaticity of musicians across the Commonwealth and look forward to many more versions being produced!
Signed Choir
We are very grateful for this wonderful signed version for BSL signing choirs. Our first video features a step by step tutorial, with instructions for signing the song. We are also delighted to share a signed version of the song recorded alongside our SATB arrangement.
Find out more
Winning song
Winning
Lyrics
Composers
Shortlisted and finalist
Are you a member of a Commonwealth choir?
Timeline:
Wednesday June 2nd 2021 at 12 noon UK BST
Commonwealth writers were invited to create and submit short song lyrics
Commonwealth choirs invited to express interest
Monday August 2nd 2021 at 23:59 UK BST
Closing date and time for receiving song lyrics
Adjudicators met during this month to choose the winning song lyrics
Thursday September 2nd 2021 at 12 noon UK BST
Winning song lyrics were announced and posted on websites
Commonwealth composers were invited to begin writing and submitting songs
Tuesday November 2nd 2021 at 23:59 UK GMT
Closing date and time for receiving song entries
Adjudicators met during this month to choose the winning song
Thursday December 2nd 2021 at 23:59 UK GMT
The OVERALL WINNER was announced and celebrated on websites
Sunday January 2nd 2022 at 23:59 UK GMT
The winning song, ‘A Song for the Commonwealth’ was posted on QPJ website, along with the score and instructions for choirs.
Shortlisted and finalist lyricists and composers were celebrated.
All choirs around the world will begin to learn the song, with help and support as necessary from The Commonwealth Resounds.
Tuesday May 31st 2022 at 23:59 UK GMT
All choirs will be asked to have learned the song by this time for the purpose of media and promotion.
Thursday June 2nd 2022 at 21:45 in the UK and 21:15 in all other Commonwealth Countries in their Individual time zones.
A Song for the Commonwealth will be sung by choirs all over the world to coincide exactly with the lighting of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons in all the 54 countries.
