On Saturday 31 May, the George Harrison Memorial Garden at Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK was brought to life with the enchanting melodies of his music, as a local community choir performed a special concert in celebration of their tenth anniversary. 

The Hertfordshire based choir, called ‘Com.unity’, was set up in 2004 for local people to participate in, particularly those that may be vulnerable, to come together and sing for pleasure. Most members have no previous singing experience or musical knowledge, and join without auditions or the need to read music.

Priding itself on the diversity of its membership, the choir’s sixty members include wheelchair users, members of all faiths, culture and backgrounds. Their repertoire includes popular upbeat songs, with uplifting, themes such as friendship, unity, hope, courage and peace. Over the past ten years, the choir have performed at a number of high profile events, including the Royal Albert Hall, and for personalities such as Simon Cowell and Sir Roger Moore. 

Attended by over a hundred people from the local community, including the Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere Cllr Carey Keates and Dr Harriet Crabtree, Director of the Interfaith Network, the event was a truly inspiring and magical evening for all. The event also served as a moving tribute to the great George Harrison, with his music brought to life by the lush surroundings of the woodland dell, in which the garden honoring his memory was built. The garden was established in May 2013, when it was officially opened by his wife Olivia Harrison and the celebrity gardener Monty Don to commemorate the friendship between the Beatle and the Hare Krishna movement.

The choir sang a selection of George Harrison’s songs, including ‘It is He’, ‘You are the One’ and of course, ‘My Sweet Lord’ which were specially picked because the lyrics from each song feature in the garden itself, as detailed engravings and structures.

Situated in a small woodland dell on the sixty acres of Temple grounds, the garden is a place set aside for prayer and contemplation, to commemorate the friendship between the Beatle and the Hare Krishna movement. George Harrison played an integral role in establishing Bhaktivedanta Manor in 1973, and last year the Manor recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Srutidharma Das, Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple said:

“The Com.unity choir are a fantastic example of diversity in practice and a true testament of the power of music to unite people – it is very fitting that they have chosen to perform the music of George Harrison, which united the world through his messages of love and faith.

Speaking after the event, Gauri Das Bhaktivedanta Manor Managing Director said: 

“This was a wonderful event which really captured the hearts and imaginations of everyone present – we were truly honored to host the local community choir’s tenth anniversary event. The garden was the perfect setting for this event, because the choir brought the songs of George Harrison to life in the most profound and beautiful way. 

George was nonsectarian and his messages were universal. I think he would have been pleased to see a choir that takes pride in its own diversity and who sing out against discrimination, singing his songs.” 

Chel Revens, the Com.unity choir’s Musical Director said: 

“What a unique and special privilege for the members of the Com.unity Choir to celebrate the Choir’s 10th Anniversary in the George Harrison Memorial Garden, performing 8 George Harrison songs that represent his spiritual journey to Krishna”.