MEMBERS of the award-winning Bradford Friendship Choir - for refugees, asylum seekers and their friends - will be performing a new song they have composed the lyrics for.

The song, City of the World, was composed in a series of workshops funded by a Mini Seed Commission Grant from Bradford Council. The words have been set to music by the choir's musical direction team, Fran Wyburn, Alice Phelps and Mary-Jane Walker, who say the anthem "celebrates the diverse cultural profile of the city".

"The lyrics explore what we bring to Bradford, and what Bradford gives back to us."

Bradford Friendship Choir, comprised of refugees, asylum-seekers and friends, is described as “a joyful singing sanctuary where diversity is celebrated in a friendly, safe environment.” The choir, founded in 2016, is supported by Bradford Festival Choral Society.

There are more than 50 singers in BFC, from Syria, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Lebanon, Uganda, Nigeria, Iraq, Iran, Congo and Turkey. Members learn songs by ear,and the choral singing helps some to learn English.

The choir has performed at venues and events across the UK, including the Great British Song Book at The Sage Gateshead. * City of the World will be performed at Kala Sangam, Bradford, on Tuesday at 7pm. Other local choirs have been invited to join in the performance too.