Zhenreenah Muhxinga tunes into the story of Fola Phillips, director of Newham’s Reggae Choir.

The Director of Reggae Choir Fola Phillips, who has worked in Newham for over 15 years, says that one of her favourite things about Newham is its diversity.

“It’s almost like the world is in Newham. You learn so much just by being in close proximity with different people and cultures, ” she said.

From the age of five, she was influenced by her father playing the song Hey Fatty Boom Boom, a song she remembers to this day.

Fola wanted to create a business that fully incorporated her skills, experience and abilities in music, but there was already a plethora of vocal ensembles doing gospel, pop and rock. She wanted something different, and then she saw a concert on the BBC called ‘Reggae Britannia’ – a celebration of some of the biggest Reggae legends.

She vividly remembers being struck by the diversity in the audience and that everyone was having such a great time, singing and dancing. She knew immediately that this was what she wanted to do and the Reggae Choir was born in September 2012.

In October last year Reggae Choir performed at the World Mental Health world day event held at Highway Trinity Church, Romford Road, Stratford, singing songs that cheered up everyone and helping the residents to feel uplifted.

Fola said: “Reggae Choir is an amateur, non-audition, non-religious vocal ensemble open to anyone who enjoys Reggae music. The vast majority of the songs we sing are Reggae classics from across its many sub genres. These include, Jamaica Ska, Blue Beat, Rock Steady, Two Tone, Lovers Rock, Reggae, Contemporary Reggae, Pop Reggae, and pop songs given a Reggae twist.

There are a few classics that provoke a great audience reaction – for example Enjoy Yourself by Prince Buster, No No No by Dawn Penn and, of course, One Love by Bob Marley and The Wailers.

Reggae Choir is an adult choir for 18+ open to all regardless of skills, experience and abilities, with a location at Carpenters & Docklands Centre ( a seven-minute walk from Stratford station), 98 Gibbin Road, E15 2HU

Anyone interested in joining can get in touch via email: info@reggaechoir.com to book a free taster session and try it out for yourself.

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