Concert, Sacred Heart High School

Sacred Heart High School is a Catholic comprehensive school for girls aged 11 to 18, located in the heart of Hammersmith, London. The school owes its existence to the vision and bravery of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865). Born in Joigny, near Paris, she founded the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1800, with the aim of educating young women at a time when it was rare for girls to receive formal education.

The first Sacred Heart school was founded in Amiens, France, in 1801, and soon, a network of schools emerged, all centred on the devotion to the Heart of Jesus and respect for the dignity of the individual. By the time of her death in 1865, Sacred Heart schools had spread across four continents.

Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s preserved body now rests in a shrine at Saint Francois Xavier Church in Paris. Initially buried in Charenton-le-Pont, on the outskirts of Paris, her remains were exhumed in 1893 as part of the process for her canonization. In 1904, following a law that prohibited religious congregations from teaching, the nuns of her order relocated to Jette, Belgium, taking her coffin with them. Eventually, on June 19, 2009, during Sacred Heart Festival Day, her shrine was ceremonially transferred to Saint Francois Xavier Church in Paris.

The Sacred Heart High School choir, under the direction of Lorraine Neckles, has performed in several venues around the world, including St. Thibault’s Church in Joigny, New York City, Hong Kong, Salzburg, and Paris. Their most recent performance was at Westminster Cathedral in London, in celebration of the 180th anniversary of the Sacred Heart school network. This upcoming tour marks their third visit to Paris, a city that holds special memories for the choir from their previous performances in France.

These talented young singers and musicians shares a deep passion for music. Over the past two years, they have grown together, developing their musical skills and harmonising beautifully. Their repertoire spans a wide range of musical genres, from ageless classical compositions to soulful gospel songs and contemporary popular vocal and instrumental arrangements. Whether performing on stage or in the community, they are committed to bringing joy and inspiration to their audiences, celebrating the uplifting power of music.