COLLABORATION

We split LGGS and CCGS students together in to three groups - orchestra, choir and dance. The orchestra focussed welcomed 52 Performing Arts students and 6 staff from Central Coast Grammar School, Australia, who stopped off in Lancaster as part of their two week tour of the UK. Having already been immersed in West End theatre in London and Shakespeare in Stratford, they headed up the M6 to visit LGGS and the Dukes Theatre.

‘How to Train Your Dragon’ and the classic ‘Blue Danube’, with Mr Swannell and Mr Chris Hunt (Music teacher at CCGS) sharing baton duties. The choir worked with Helen Latham and Anna Beijeman (accompanist from CCGS) on ‘One Day More’ from Les Mis’ and ‘You'll Be Found’ from ‘Dear Evan Hanson’. The dancers with visiting choreographer Megan Alder Cox created a completely original piece. All the students worked extremely hard throughout the day, and it was amazing to see students who had never met until that

After a quick refuelling at one of Lancaster's eateries, the students returned to LGGS to perform in front of an audience of family and friends. The concert was a real success and it was amazing how, after such a short time together, the students managed to produce such a polished performance. Particularly impressive were the dancers who literally had 5 hours to produce a piece from scratch.

A huge thanks to all staff involved and particularly to my good friend Lee Fleming (Head of Performing Arts at CCGS), who organised the tour and initiated the idea to work with LGGS. We have even been asked to make a return visit to Central Coast watch this space!

Mr Paul Swannell