Our Story

Over a decade ago, a simple act of packing groceries for a local cause united a small circle of friends around a bigger vision—one fueled by hope, perseverance, and a desire to see lasting change. In 2005, our founder, Seth Pinnock, dreamt of a citywide gathering to spark growth and transformation, culminating in the very first “Midnight Cry” in 2006. That initial event—marked by inspiration, togetherness, and practical support—ignited a wave that has since rallied thousands from all walks of life.

The journey has not been without its challenges. After weathering a financial setback in 2013, we emerged stronger, learning how to adapt and remain true to our core values of unity, empowerment, and creativity. Renamed as Symphony Co, we have grown from a circle of thirteen volunteers into a 300-strong community of passionate individuals. Today, we continue to unite, create, lead, and help, while driving our mission of Academics, Arts, and Advocacy forward at every turn.

>Academics


Our commitment to education has evolved into the Symphony Academy—a movement born from a passion for social justice. Spurred by the urgency of closing the school-to-prison pipeline, our Academy now offers free GCSE tuition, music instruction, and practical engineering programs, particularly focused on equipping Black youth and underserved communities with essential skills. Over time, we have expanded from a single site to multiple locations, bridging the attainment gap and preparing tomorrow’s generation to face life’s challenges with confidence.

By combining academic rigor with holistic support, we believe the young people we mentor will not only excel in the classroom but also become catalysts for positive change in their neighborhoods and beyond. Each lesson, workshop, and tutoring session is a stepping stone, helping them build a brighter future and a stronger community.


>Advocacy

From the moment we began hosting public gatherings, we recognized the power of bringing people together around a shared cause. Today, Symphony Collective is an expanding movement dedicated to empowering diverse voices—from local activists to global thought leaders—through festivals, community pop-ups, and online masterclasses. Our Tribe: “Festival of Hope” has been a prime example of this unifying spirit, drawing crowds to celebrate unity, spark conversations on social issues, and uplift underserved voices.

Looking ahead, we plan to grow these efforts—launching new festivals in London, and eventually extending to cities like New York and Cape Town. Through global online programming, multilingual resources, and year-round outreach, we aim to build a worldwide network of changemakers who champion unity, education, and social transformation. With each step, we are determined to create inclusive platforms that amplify stories, mobilize communities, and inspire genuine change.

>Arts

A core part of our identity is tapping into the creative potential that lives in every individual. Our Arts division began with gospel choirs and has since blossomed into a vibrant ecosystem of community orchestras, books, records, films, podcasts, and live performances. From our groundbreaking gospel group “A New Thing,” which has performed across Europe and opened for Grammy Award–winning artists, to our immersive film and podcast projects, we continue to showcase the power of collective storytelling.

We believe that art transcends boundaries. By making creative expression accessible and welcoming—whether through jam sessions, film premieres, or publishing new authors—we give people the chance to tell their stories and shape culture. In every song, screenplay, or piece of literature, we find a chance to highlight resilience, celebrate diversity, and create meaningful connections that resonate far beyond the stage or screen.

GET INVOLVED

So, What’s Next?

As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in strengthening the platforms we have built. We’re refining our Academy programs, further developing our Arts initiatives, and expanding our Advocacy reach—all while establishing a truly global presence, both on the ground and online. Symphony Studios, our physical headquarters, continues to be the “airport” where dreams can take off and land, equipping communities to thrive and transcend barriers.

We invite you to join us in writing the next chapter of this ever-evolving symphony of change. In Symphony Co, there is always room for more dreamers, doers, and believers—because we stand on the conviction that every individual brings a unique instrument to this collective melody of hope. Together, we embrace the promise that the best is still yet to come. Step by step, festival by festival, and generation by generation, we move forward in unity, giving higher, loving wider, and serving lower for a world transformed.

Timeline

  • Seth Pinnock envisioned a city wide community centred event for personal and spiritual growth and called it ‘Midnight Oil’

  • 'Midnight Cry,' our first event, attracted hundreds of youths for a night of prayer, teaching and inspiration. This year also marked the inception of the para organisation ‘See & Be Transformation Services.’

  • The inaugural Midnight Oil event ‘Midnight Oil Summit was held at the Bethel Convention Centre in Birmingham, attracting over 1000 people from across the UK.

  • The Midnight Oil Summit became an annual event, drawing artists and speakers nationwide. This year also saw the name changed to ‘God’s Bride Ministries’ aiming to educate and empower people from diverse backgrounds.

  • Attendance at the Midnight Oil Summit continue to grow..Seth Pinnock also founded his debut gospel worship group ‘A New Thing.’

  • Launch of KingdomBOY! clothing line, The Good News Community Choir and inaugural ‘A.MEN’ and ‘WOVEN’ conferences, focusing on gender-specific empowerment and personal development.

  • Midnight Oil Summit's 5th anniversary at the Bethel Convention Centre saw over 2,000 attendees and international attention. The volunteer team expanded, ‘flow’ dance crew launched and the ‘Christmas Kitchen’ food project was launched.

  • ‘A.MEN’ and ‘WOVEN’ became annual events welcoming hundreds.. The summer ‘Help & Hope fair’ was introduced, encouraging young people to engage with various social action and justice organisations.

  • Symphony Co introduced ‘Prayer+,’ a quarterly event for prayer and reflection. The 7th anniversary of Midnight Oil was celebrated with a series of events, including the debut of the Alpha Youth Orchestra and a live album recording by ‘A New Thing’ at Birmingham's renowned Symphony Hall.

  • Headstart’ New Year Prayer Week was launched. The final Midnight Oil Summit, in partnership with Morris Cerullo, attracted over 5,000 attendees. ‘A New Thing’ achieved a top 10 spot in the UK Christian Music Charts.

  • The Midnight Cry Tour reached 30 venues in 5 countries. Seth Pinnock partnered with a local homeless charity, raising funds and awareness.

  • Symphony Consort became a registered UK charity. The team took a year off for strategic planning and renewal.

  • 10th anniversary of Symphony Co. Seth and ‘A New Thing’ recorded a live worship album in Birmingham to sold out crowd, launching a new 10-year vision to over 1000 attendees

  • Headstart continued as an annual event, Symphony Co launched a UK wide fundraising campaign and formed partnerships for global poverty initiatives

  • Release of Seth Pinnock and ‘A New Thing’ live 2nd album, highly acclaimed in the industry.

  • Headstart event concluded in Birmingham, London, and online. ‘A New Thing’ tour began (cancelled due to Covid -19) and Symphony Schools was launched.

  • Symphony Schools continued, Declaration New Year's prayer week launched, powered by Tearfund and TBN reaching over 50,000 homes. Guests included Justin Welby and Bernice King.

  • Symphony Co expanded its influence to America, South Africa, and London, recentering its delivery through empowerment, entertainment, and education. This year also saw the formation of partnerships with prominent global brands.