The renowned Birmingham Community Gospel Choir is set to mark its 20th year in a joyous celebratory concert.

The multi award-winning singers, known for their ‘explosive energy’ will entertain and inspire an audience at their Worship and Thanksgiving performance at Ebeneezer Mission Hall in Cook Street, Nechells from 4pm on Saturday 25 October.

With 30 members overall, the choir, also praised by Simon Cowell, has picked up some major accolades.

It was crowned BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year in 2015, following a thrilling final at London’s Hackney Empire.

The choir were also finalists in 2013, when the competition was staged in Birmingham Town Hall. And they returned to the final again in 2023.

Founder and Musical Director Maxine Brooks said: “We truly are a group of people with the same passion to sing and share our faith, to inspire love,  joy and peace in the hearts of every listener -- Our 20th anniversary concert will be a joyous celebration.

“Some audience members at our concerts weep because they are so moved by the music and the message we communicate. For others, they’re laughing and dancing and joining in.

“We want the audience to feel part of the choir. As its leader, I’m not strait laced at all. I actually talk to the choir during the performance – I say things like, ‘Stand up straight!’ and ‘Keep your head up!’ and ‘You’re not in line there!’ Audiences find it funny because it’s sincere.

“We don’t want to build up a wall where we just deliver some polished, cold performance. We invite the audience into our choir. We want them to feel a sense of connection and belonging. We want to join with you, and for you to join in with us, to praise – and to have a good time.

“It’s my belief that anyone can sing and praise God – it doesn’t matter whether their voices are beautiful or not, or whether they are in tune if they are making a joyful noise.

“But we are a bit more than that. We are really talented. We have excellent voices. We rehearse, we get our harmonies together, and I make the choir work really, really hard.

“When you have a group of people singing together who have such a connection to the meaning of what they are singing, then this gives them a connection to each other and to their audience. And when they are really good singers too – that is what makes a difference.

“I’m so proud of our continued and recognised growth and success as one of Birmingham’s most well-known community and gospel choirs.

“Highlights over the years have included winning BBC Gospel Choir of the year competition in 2015 and me reaching the final of the BBC Gospel Singer of the year in 2022.”

She said: “It was such a great sense of achievement when we were crowned winners, we were all screaming and everyone was in tears. I was in shock when they announced the results and dropped to the floor! It was such an amazing feeling as we’re such a close unit, one voice and one body merged together. We rehearsed extremely hard, and I’ve been stricter than I’ve ever been. It’s been such a blessing to win and to represent Birmingham in this way. “

In 2019, a group of some of the choir’s singers reached the quarterfinals of Britain’s Got Talent. Judge Amanda Holden told them: “There’s so much goodness here, I want good things to happen for you.” Simon Cowell said: “I like you and I like your energy,” while then-judge David Walliams added: “That was lovely, and you should be immensely proud. “They were later featured in a compilation video of ‘Best choirs ever on BGT’ which has gained around 100,000 YouTube views.

The choir has also won international praise through performances in Belgium and The Netherlands.

Maxine is a celebrated singer, songwriter, playwright, and performer alongside her choir work. Her writing credits include the musicals John 11, Christ is Born, and The Easter Story.

A dedicated minister, she has served as Pastor of The House of the Lord UK church in Nechells since 2007, blending her passion for faith, music, and community.

Looking to the future, Maxine said she’s excited by continuing to grow and develop.

She added: I’m inspired to write more religious plays and musicals and continue to write songs for myself and the choir.”

This comes after Maxine wrote a song and appeared in its video for a play that she made her acting debut in. The catchy ‘Why didn’t I get married’ gained widespread views through online promotion. Maxine was delighted to support her friend, the acclaimed playwright Alan Charles in his ‘no holds barred bold look at singledom, faith and the Black Church.’

Reflecting on challenges through the choir’s history, Maxine said: “The main hurdle is getting funding to continue our work and travel to other parts of the country to share our music, plays and musicals. It would be great to have one of our productions at a local theatre or two.”

Looking to the future, she added: “We’re aiming for more recordings and concerts and a lasting presence in the world of British Gospel Music Ministry. And we are building our status as a good name and reputation among long standing choirs.”

Maxine also added that auditions are on-going throughout the year for new Birmingham Community Gospel Choir singers. Anyone interested can get in touch via the website birminghamcommunitygospelchoir.co.uk or email info@birminghamcommunitygospelchoir.co.uk