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Date Published: 05/03/2025

Sonrisas Harmony sing for International Women's Day on March 8

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The Ladies Harmony Chorus are once again supporting the One Woman Day this year

Sonrisas Harmony sing for International Women's Day on March 8

Since 2013, singers and musicians, women and men from around the world have come together to highlight and spread a message of unity and solidarity: We are “One Woman”.

The song was launched on March 8, 2013 to inspire people around the world to establish rights for women and gender equality. Since their inception, Murcia-based chorus Sonrisas Harmony have participated by professionally recording the song in support and celebration of the work that UN Women continues to do.

This year, the theme for International Women’s Day is to accelerate action as a collective to highlight gender equality. This is much needed to tackle setbacks surrounding domestic violence. Research shows one in three women in the EU alone have experienced physical violence, sexual violence or threats in their adulthood.

In 2021, seven hundred women were murdered by a partner, family member or extended family relative in 17 EU member states according to official reports. In Spain alone, 45 women were murdered by a partner and 15 were murdered by a family member. During the Covic 19 lockdown in Spain there was an increase of more than 45% in domestic violence calls compared to the same period in 2019.

Global job losses for women and the increase in unpaid care provision also add to the issues of domestic violence towards women. Sonrisas Harmony are releasing their video this year in the hope that it will be shared to highlight the importance of the UN Women Organisation and their tireless efforts in tackling these issues.

The Sonrisas Harmony “One Woman” video can be found on their web page www.sonrisasharmony.es and on the Facebook page Sonrisas Harmony Chorus.

Many of the 46 members took part in the recording with guest singers Paco Artes and Graeme Park. Valerie Lynch, their highly accomplished Musical Director, also makes a rare solo vocal addition to a moving rendition of this poignant song.

Sonrisas Harmony ask that you share their video on your social media platforms to highlight the importance of UN Woman.

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Sonrisas Harmony A Cappella Chorus Murcia

Sonrisas Harmony is an A cappella Chorus on the coast of the Region of Murcia, an all-ladies group based in the Los Alcázares area.

Sonrisas Harmony formed in September 2022 with fifteen ladies who loved to sing and have the support of each other with the social side of the friendships they have formed. Since that time, the Chorus has grown to over 30 members, with nationalities from all over the world. The Musical Director Valerie Lynch is from the USA and comes to Sonrisas with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Valerie graduated from the Crane School of Music in New York with a Bachelors Degree in Vocal Performance and Music Education, going on to receive a Masters Degree from The University of Texas. She has been a vocal coach and adjudicator in a variety of music genres. Having toured for over 20 years singing as a guest artist with various symphony and chamber orchestras across the USA, Valerie also worked with renowned instrumentalist for many years. Now settled here in Spain, she smiles when she comments that she is the proud MD of Sonrisas Harmony.

The music that Sonrisas Harmony perform is contemporary, four-part harmony A cappella. That might sound a bit of a mouthful to those who have not sung in a chorus before, so to explain, it is singing without the accompaniment of instruments, in four parts: lead, baritone, bass and tenor. The music is modern as well as some classic songs.

In April 2023, Sonrisas Harmony were asked to be in the opening show of one of the biggest A cappella contests in Europe. The spokesperson for the Chorus commented that “it was a great honour to be asked to perform at the Spanish Barbershop Convention 2023, it was the first time a non-barbershop chorus had taken part as far as we know”.

Last Christmas, Sonrisas Harmony sang at various venues around Los Alcázares and San Javier areas, so if you get the chance to attend one of their performances arrive early as it has mostly been standing room only with packed-out audiences!

The ladies rehearse every Wednesday from 10.30am to 1.30pm at Las Claras Centre in Los Alcázares.

There is no previous singing knowledge required and you are never asked to sing alone. All that is required is that you like to sing and have fun, as there is also a social side to Sonrisas Harmony where the ladies have social afternoons or away days.

If you would like to know more, you can contact: