The Quaker Festival Orchestra & Chorus was founded in 1985 to sing a specially commissioned peace passion by Tony Biggin, The Gates of Greenham at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England. With over 200 singers, a full orchestra of 90 instruments, and a sold-out audience of over 2,000 this was one of the largest gatherings of Quakers in the 20th century.
Since then Quaker Music Makers has gone on to commission two more oratorios: Cry of the Earth about ecology issues, and Embracing the Tiger, a choral drama of courage, darkness and transformation about individuals who challenge society. They have also performed The Fire & the Hammer, this cantata tells the story of the young George Fox, founder of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), with a narrator, tenor soloist and chorus. Cassettes of this piece are available from the Leaveners.
