The Ismaili Community Ensemble
The Ismaili Community Ensemble (ICE) was founded in 2007 as a Golden Jubilee initiative, which aims to nurture musical talent within the community. ICE operates on the premise that music is a powerful method of communication, reflection and education. ICE composes all its own music and is therefore original. It is learnt by ear and everyone contributes to the creative process. Musicians write lyrics inspired by their personal journeys as young Ismailis and seek inspiration from literature and music from our heritage.
Since its inception, ICE has performed to over 25,000 people in over 90 performances, composed more than 80 original pieces of music with over 150 participants. ICE has performed to much acclaim at venues including the Shaftesbury Theatre, the Ismaili Centre, London, the Ismaili Centre, Dubai, Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London and Lisbon, the Royal College of Music and by request of the Mayor of London, twice at the Eid Festival in Trafalgar Square.
In keeping with the ethics of the Ismaili faith, ICE has used music to give back to the community through delivering workshops at various Ismaili community events in both the UK and Berlin, performances at hospitals, workshops for disabled young adults at Orpheus performing arts centre and supporting music camps at schools in East London. ICE also supports many of the Ismaili community’s events such as The Big Iftar, Music at One and the European Sports Festival. After a performance in 2015, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Communities and Local Government, Lord Ahmad said “Tonight is one of those evenings that is enlightening for us all…tonight’s event, tonight’s music, tonight’s harmony demonstrate once again what is the best about communities, what is the best about faith.”
Their most recent concert in February 2020 explored the theme of personal responsibility in creating an environment of care. In a world of social and political instability, ICE has explored how each of us has a duty to contribute to a better world. The music took you on a journey where a diverse range of instruments and voices come together to express this theme through lyrics, melodies and rhythms of the world.
Singalong Saturday
Singalong Saturday started in April 2020 where we showcase musical talent within the Jamat. Since it has started, we have had people sing, play guitar, the oud and tabla as well as many other instruments from the eastern and western traditions. During this pandemic, many artists have used music as a means for expression. Music is really important as it can raise someone's mood, get them excited, or make them calm and relaxed. Through this initiative we have received over 25 music videos.
If you would like to be featured in singalong Saturday please email [email protected]
Please click here to view our playlist: add youtube link
The Harmony Collective
‘Music is the language if the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife’ – Khalil Gibran
The Harmony Collective is a virtual singing project in commemoration of World Music Day 2020. Individual voices of our community were brought together into a single piece of music, entitled ‘Little bit of love’ by John Cruz and Mark Herschler @mana_maoli
Please click here to watch the video: https://youtu.be/JytlOnReznA
