Sisterhood emerges from a cappella Cyprus choir

With one voice an all women choir brings the essence of the island to life

Although it began as a space for musical expression and vocal artistry, the Amalgamation choir soon evolved into something much deeper: a much-needed support system for women, a place for personal growth, a space to love and be loved. “A sisterhood,” says Argyro Christodoulou, one of the 30 women who form the all-female a cappella choir under the baton of Vasiliki Anastasiou.

As the creator and conductor of Amalgamation, Anastasiou formed the choir in 2014 as a result of a summer singing workshop she ran during which those taking part asked to continue the workshops throughout the year. “The long story would be that it had been my desire to have a vocal group alongside my band for a long time,” admits Anastasiou. “I formed choirs in London performing Greek traditional songs, and I was part of a group of Cypriot singers performing Cypriot songs rearranged in a modern way. I moved to Cyprus after eight years in the UK and decided to form Amalgamation Choir after I realised people were really eager to join,” she adds.

Although she was eager to create the choir, other members were looking for something different. “I had spent years in conventional choirs and I wasn’t seeking another traditional experience. I was tired of being labelled as an ‘alto’ and restricted to a limited vocal range. I had even been told that singing with a head voice was ‘fake’ and was discouraged from using it, despite feeling more comfortable and expressive when singing that way. Even worse, I was weary of repeatedly singing the same Cypriot traditional songs I had grown up with, trying to imitate traditional singers with whom I had nothing in common… Joining Amalgamation was the best musical decision of my life,” says Chara Zymara who has now been a member for eight years.

In essence, the choir prioritises the promotion of the uniqueness of Cypriot culture. “While we don’t have a conscious goal of promoting Cypriot culture, we feel it is an intrinsic part of who we are, and it naturally influences our work. Cypriot culture moves, informs, and nourishes our music. As a result, it becomes an integral aspect of our expression, even without being the explicit focus,” says Anastasiou. An example of this would be their most recent project entitled CLAY, where the choir explored what it means to be a Cypriot woman and sought to understand how it feels to embrace this identity through song and movement.

Nevertheless, founding an all-female a cappella choir wasn’t intentional. “We had very few men participating in the initial workshops, who eventually chose different paths,” she explains. “It was an organic development, and I felt it worked well for the group. It helped the women bond and develop friendships, which in turn supported the smooth blending of voices and personalities. So, we kept it this way and opened the door to men only as collaborators,” she adds.

“Singing with Amalgamation is like a form of meditation,” adds Zymara. “There’s no greater reward than having the luxury of being in absolute peace with oneself – and others – while practicing what you truly love, all within a framework of continuous learning. When I joined Amalgamation, everything I thought I knew about singing was both useful and simultaneously obsolete as I rediscovered my true voice as part of an inspiring group of talented women led by a charismatic conductor. It wasn’t always easy. At times, the concept of Amalgamation preceded our understanding of it. We were all very young initially, still trying to figure out our voices and ourselves. But as years passed, our bond grew stronger, our collective voice became more defined, and Amalgamation’s identity truly became an amalgam of each of us. Vasiliki’s openness to our suggestions and ideas, and her willingness to utilise our unique voices and other talents – ‘magic powers’ as she calls them – has been crucial to this success,” adds Zymara.

Marking its 10th anniversary, Anastasiou acknowledges how the choir has evolved. “Friendships have been formed and strengthened, voices have been trained and improved, teamwork is at another level, and the lengths that women will go to help out with the productions and administrative work is truly humbling. They put their precious time and lots of love into this beautiful community. For as long as this circle works, we will work too,” says Anastasiou.

And so, throughout the years the choir has been invited to perform in important events, both locally and abroad, one such example being performing at a service to mark Commonwealth Day 2023 at London’s Westminster Abbey. “We were selected by the Royal Commonwealth Committee as an act to represent Europe, to perform at Westminster Abbey and the House of Commons. They discovered us online while researching acts from Europe and approached us directly,” explains Anastasiou. The event in question stands out for Christodoulou too. “Among the many unforgettable moments we’ve shared, one that truly stands out is our participation in the 2023 Celebration for Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey in London, performed in the presence of the royal family. Meeting them later that evening at Buckingham Palace was something we never imagined possible – it was surreal,” says Christodoulou.

“Another memorable experience occurred in Lyon, France, also in 2023. Eight of us travelled there to perform in a series of concerts. During our performance at the Temple du Change, several moments remain engraved in my memory: the absolute silence of the audience – nothing could be heard but our voices and continuous applause between songs. The way we smiled at each other, satisfied by feeling perfectly in tune with one another – not just musically (the temple’s echo was incredible), but also in spirit and body. The reception we received after emerging from backstage at the concert’s end – the audience applauded and cheered each member extensively, presenting each of us with a flower. What an incredible feeling of satisfaction that was!” adds Zymara.

“But beyond these incredible highlights, there are countless smaller moments that stay with us: like the time someone lost their ID at the airport, or when luggage went missing right before a major performance. Truly nerve-racking in the moment – to say the least – but it definitely makes for a great story,” asserts Christodoulou.

“We have a specific song in our programme CLAY that beams with emotion, and my eyes – and their eyes – always fill with tears,” says Anastasiou. “Looking at each other with tears while singing feels like one of the ultimate acts of bonding. The reason is that we understand each other; in that moment, we are one supercharged voice, and it is very special. It doesn’t always happen, and none of us can force it, but when it does, it’s magic. It’s difficult to speak from the outside and understand why our choir is in such demand. We’re truly humbled by the love we receive for our work, and we aim to remain true and honest to our art for as long as it brings us joy.”

Witnessing 30 women on stage performing with their voices as their only instrument is an experience like no other and one difficult to describe unless witnessed. As Anastasiou says, “I think people see the choir as something genuine and heartfelt – less about perfection, more about presence. We’ve had people from all backgrounds that don’t necessarily understand any of the lyrics moved to tears, showing that music transcends language and culture. Listening to music and watching people sing creates a universal feeling. It seems like people within and outside the choir long to feel connected with other human beings.”

In celebration of their 10-year anniversary, the choir will have a series of performances that delve into the transformative essence of clay through the art of group singing.

“In this concert, we invite the audience on a journey through the fundamental elements, soil, water and air, that breathe life into clay. Each element plays a crucial role in shaping clay, mirroring the forces that shape our own human experiences. Through songs of love, despair and gratitude, we explore how these essential elements can embody growth, resilience, and transformation in our lives.”

Amalgamation Choir will perform on May 17 in Limassol. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/amalgamationchoir