* Section Leader ** Soloist
THOMAS TELFORD SCHOOL SENIOR CHOIR & LLANTARNAM SCHOOL DEAF CHOIR
GLOUCESTERSHIRE MASSED ENSEMBLE
THE KINGSMEAD DYNAMIX
This evening, Llantarnam School Deaf Choir have linked up with Thomas Telford Senior Choir for this special collaboration of I'll Cover You from the musical Rent.
The invitation to appear under the bright lights of London's Royal Albert Hall is a great accolade. For many young musicians, this evening’s concert in this iconic venue is a once in a lifetime experience. Over 600 young musicians and singers from Gloucestershire have travelled to London today to perform a new work called Journey. The choir totals 480 young singers from twenty-four secondary schools throughout the county. The 150 strong orchestra represents members of four of the county’s top youth music groups: the Youth Jazz Orchestra, Youth Orchestra, Youth Sinfonia and Youth Wind Orchestra.
The Kingsmead Dynamix meet on a weekly basis as part of the school curriculum day at Kingsmead Primary School in Hackney, London. They are taught by Dorinia Harleym, Dancer-in-Residence at Hackney Music Service, and Hackney Music Service percussionist Steve Bewes. The school employ both tutors to work across all key stages, so that every child benefits from the experience. The music service was successful in securing support from Future Talent, a charity set up by the Duchess of Kent, to support aspiring gifted and talented musicians. The Kingsmead Dynamix is the result of this three-way partnership investment between the school, music service and Future Talent, ensuring that the very gifted have the chance to continue learning and performing.
MFY Music Mentor and singer Adey Grummet has worked with both choirs in action-packed workshops, involving a joyous exchange of musical culture. Adey said “The generosity of spirit of all the pupils and staff has been truly memorable and this exciting and moving performance means a huge amount to everyone involved.” The featured soloists are Omari Douglas from Thomas Telford School, who has just started his training at Arts Educational, and Kieran Collins from Llantarnam School Deaf Choir.
Journey by Philip Harper takes its inspiration from the story of one of the most famous fictional characters to make the same journey, Dick Whittington and his cat. As is well-known, Dick Whittington went from poor beginnings to being eventually elected Lord Mayor of London three times and the music has this same inspirational message you can achieve anything to which you put your mind. The hustle and bustle of London and the sound of the Bow bells open the piece as we hear Dick Whittington being turned away from his failed time in the city. The slow section sees Dick Whittington reflecting on what to do next and how he can succeed before he musters the will and determination to return for the rousing finale. Choir Archway School, Barnwood Park Arts College, Beaufort Community School, Cheltenham Bournside School, Chosen Hill School, Churchdown School Academy, Cirencester Kingshill School, Cleeve School, The Crypt Grammar School, Dene Magna School, The High School for Girls Gloucester, Maidenhill School, Marling Grammar School, Newent Community and Sixth Form Centre, Pate's Grammar School, Pittville School, Ribston Hall High School, Severn Vale Academy, Sir Thomas Rich's Grammar School, St Peter's Roman Catholic High School, Tewkesbury School, Thomas Keble School, Whitecross School, Wyedean School and Sixth Form Centre The orchestra consists of members of four of Gloucestershire’s county music groups The Gloucestershire Youth Orchestra, Youth Wind Orchestra, Youth Sinfonia and Youth Jazz Orchestra
Amongst the group are two percussion scholars, Daniel Aidoo and Jerell Lewis, both funded by the Mayor’s Fund for Young Musicians. The group have performed together and separately at many local and regional venues including The Hackney Empire, Tate Modern, CBSO Centre and Symphony Hall, as well as a performance at the Hackney Educators’ Awards. Both pieces, Nagla and Kitchen, are traditional West African dances. The second tells the story of how the men would go off to hunt for food and on their return the women in the village would welcome the men back with a dance in celebration of their successful hunt. After the dance, the women would cook up a hearty meal for the family. In tonight's performance, both dances are linked by a drumming break. Drummers & Dancers Daniel Aidoo, Eno Bassey-Davies, Shamark Blake, Sinai Brown, Hurruube Buba, Jodine Clarke, Chika Emebo, Daniel Falako, Matilda Fofanah, Janelle Frimpong, Damian Graza, Simran Jot Kaur, Pasvi Lema, J'nique Lewin, Jerell Lewis, Sheila Mateus, Antoine McWilliams, Shakur Muwanda, Husnah Nakalema, Rishanti Owusu, Kevin Ozee, Mikotaj Pacyga, Sahila Richards, Charandev Singh, Che St Luce Sinclair, Ta-Semia Watson
Gloucestershire Music Staff & Tutors Philip Cowley, David Currie, Maureen Currie, Steven Legge, David Mills, Glyn Oxley, Malcolm Pollock, Andy Prouse, Tim Stokes, Jonathan Trim, Sheila Wheeler
SCHOOLS PROM 2012
51