Programme NOTES MONDAY 12 NOVEMBER MARIA FIDELIS Convent SCHOOL GOSPEL CHOIR
PORTCHESTER MARIMBA ENSEMBLE
Blue in Green
Maria Fidelis Convent School is a splitsite inner-city London Roman Catholic comprehensive. The school has a multicultural intake and draws its pupils from all parts of inner-city London. Since winning the BBC Songs of Praise Senior Choir of the Year in 2010, the choir has had many invitations to perform at events, including prestigious occasions for prominent VIPs as well as performing in their local community and for charitable organisations at venues including Southbank Centre, the Royal Albert Hall, Southwark Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral.
The African Marimba project began at Portchester Community School in 2007 following visits to Cape Town. The instruments were made by Andile Siyo in Gugulethu Township and were transported to Portsmouth by HMS Endurance, en route from Antarctica! Andile has supported the project since it started and he is currently making a second set of instruments for the ensemble.
Blue in Green are a student run jazz ensemble led by trumpeter Tim Wearden. The group came together through Lincolnshire Music Service, meeting as members of Boston Youth Jazz Orchestra. Their repertoire consists of a mixture of jazz, fusion, funk and soul standards as well as several original compositions. They are in great demand for performances in their local area. Blue in Green’s members represent Boston Grammar School, Boston High School, Boston Haven High Academy and Horncastle Grammar School.
The choir had the great honour of performing for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI during his state visit to the UK at Buckingham Palace in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. They have also sung at the Commonwealth Day Observance attended by HRH Queen Elizabeth II, for the Mayor of London and at a number of corporate and charitable events. The choir has sung for several BBC Songs of Praise programmes and the BBC 2 documentary series The History of Music. Magnificent and Holy is a beautiful choral piece, composed by the popular gospel artist Israel Houghton. It demonstrates a sweet subtlety as well as drama. The harmonies are exquisite, emphasised by the delivery of effective dynamics. The second piece the choir are singing tonight is an arrangement of the traditional spiritual, Oh Mary, Oh Martha. This exciting, fast-paced interpretation features call and response, imitative staggered entries from the parts, close harmonies and a rich, jazz piano accompaniment. Choir Harriet Agyekum, Danielle Akparanta, Gabrielle Akparanta, Chana Alexander, Tosin Alugo, Gloria Amponsah, Joyce Amponsah, Mercedes Anaeto, Barbette Anang, Megan Animashaun, Mya Animashaun, Rachelle Antobre, Michelle Arowosola, Circe Ashun, Jasmine Bernard, Tia Brade, Jenai Donaldson, Alicia Eltom, Juliette Forster, Paris Francis Roach, Jada Ann Fredricks, Diana Freire, Nichola Fulleton, Dilietna Graves, Mhaliah Greaves, Kenya Harriott, Nia Hoffman, Catherine Huberson, Anthonia (Tara) Llesanmi, Abielle Inegbenebho, Muja Jockuat, Bethany Laker, Simone Martins, Genevieve Masiala, Marina Miatudila, Noon Mirgani, Sydney Mola, Amirah Mukoko, Samantha Munchanyuka, Jasmine Neumann, Mandagan Njie, Eme Nkpang, Sade Ogbuike, Rianne Okungbowa, Naomi Oppong, Sarah Oppong, Nkechi Ossai, Deborah Owoyemi, Angela Poudel, Cheyenne Prince Henry, Rianah Reid, Rejoice Riam, Milanne Roberts, Laila Saidi, Aida Tekle, Amen Tesfaye, Kaysia Thomas, Ashleigh Tyree Smith, Shilah Tyrell, Arsema Yikalo
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SCHOOLS PROM 2012
The group’s performance will begin with Intonga, sung by Maggie Allen in the African language, Xhosa. This powerful introduction is accompanied by the marimbas. Amari was inspired by trips to South Africa through the charity as part of the South Africa Panjazz Project. This is a piece composed by group leader Lindsay Jobling and includes a collaborative section from Cofie AlloteyAnnan who is also one of the soloists. The group’s performance will finish with Kinyemi, Swahili for 'a good thing', composed by Brandon Draper. This piece reflects musical influences from across Africa and includes hints of Latin rhythms towards the end.
Foggy Nights is an original composition, written specifically for Blue in Green. It is mostly a swing tune, but journeys through different grooves and feels, leaving plenty of space for members of the group to showcase their own personal way of improvising. In contrast Rain Dance/Wanna Fly by Jeff Lorber is a jazz fusion vocal feature that exhibits the band’s arranging skills. Trumpet Tim Wearden Voice Emma Foster
Vocals Maggie Allen**
Piano Peter Worrall
Piccolo Marimba Euan Lloyd-Taylor
Guitar Ashley Squires
Soprano Marimba Cofie Allotey-Annan**
Bass Guitar Michael Sumner
Tenor Marimba Suzannah Crothers
Drums Harry Hextall
Bass Marimba Megan Sanders Djembe Finli Draper Cajon Brandon Draper Shaker Kane Beeson
VIVENDI SOUNDS BRADFORD MASSED ENSEMBLE This vast ensemble of over 600 young musicians from Bradford and the surrounding area has been brought together through the support of Vivendi, one of MFY’s sponsors. Through Vivendi’s passionate commitment to new music, for the first time in its forty year history, MFY has been able to commission a brand new piece of music for a massed ensemble. Working closely with Bradford Music and Arts Service, MFY has brought together over 600 young people on one stage from a variety of different educational and musical backgrounds and sectors including secondary schools, three music services and local community arts organisations. MFY commissioned composer and multiinstrumentalist Joe Broughton to create a genre-defying, educationally and artistically inspiring piece that reflected the multitude of cultures represented in Bradford and the surrounding area. Tony Johnson, Head of the Music and Arts Service in Bradford said, of being involved “We are delighted to be part of the Vivendi project here in Bradford. The project is a fantastic opportunity as the new Music Education Hub to bring together such a wide variety of groups from across the district and also to include partners from Calderdale and Kirklees. Working with Joe and his team has been a great experience for the pupils and