Choirs pitch in on anniversary of Manchester Arena bombing

Choirs from across Manchester will come together in harmony today to commemorate the anniversary of the Arena bombing tomorrow.

Around 4,000 people are expected to lead a community singalong in Albert Square at 7.30pm as part of the Manchester Together – With One Voice event.

Crowds will be invited to join for the finale with the following songs confirmed: Ariana Grande’s One Last Time, One Day Like This by Elbow, Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis and Never Forget by Take That.

Three and a half years after its inception, the Ancoats community choir is one of the many groups that will be present on the day.

Co-director Matt Roughley moved to Ancoats from Wigan and hopes the choir helps people find their voice.

He said: “Just coming together to sing together is a process where people can bond through music, and we believe that’s a key part of it.

“It’s strange that it’s a year ago already. I think it’s absolutely unbelievable how people came together and really tried to take the positives out of this horrendous atrocity.”

The community programme officer at the Halle St Peter’s, where rehearsals are held, mirrored Mr Roughley’s sentiments:

Mancunians are proud, they are resilient, they are stubborn, they pretend to hate everyone from Liverpool but they don’t really.

“They are aware of their history, and they rejoice in that. But also, it’s a very forward-thinking city. Essentially, it’s still at heart a working-class city. It’s proud of itself, and very positive about the future.”

Commemorations start in the morning with the opening of the Trees of Hope. A minute of silent will be held nationally at 2.30pm, and at 10.31pm bells will ring across the city centre.