Young singers can’t wait to make themselves heard this week in B Sharp Voices, a special showcase of local primary school vocal talent.
Working with experienced composer and music leader John K Miles, singers from St Michael’s, Lyme Regis; Mrs Ethelston’s, Uplyme; Marshwood and St Mary’s, Bridport will perform music and songs inspired by Beer Quarry Caves – the limestone caverns formed by centuries of quarrying beer stone used in the building of Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, Windsor Castle and Exeter Cathedral among many other notable buildings.
The performance on Tuesday (September 30) at St Michael’s Church, Lyme Regis is the first in a series that builds to a finale concert in January at Exeter Cathedral and will also feature guest musicians Adrianna Adewale (percussion, vocals) and Dave Mannington (bass), as well as vocalists Jacques Verhaeren and Chloe Stratta from B Sharp, the Lyme Regis-based music charity for young people.
“It’s so fantastic to have B Sharp working at our school,” says Claire Hulbert, Year 6 teacher at Mrs Ethelston’s. “I can already see the added impact of this project with writing levels going up – it’s not just the music, it’s total engagement.”
B Sharp Director Fran Williams says: “The youngsters have been inspired by Beer Quarry Caves, the history of the caverns, how they feel about servitude and the stories of people coming together to build cathedrals. Guided by John, who is the most amazing music leader, they’ve put it all into the music and songs they’ve written for this performance.”
Voices is a dynamic creative singing project designed to raise levels of aspiration in young people through group singing. Working with different schools, teachers and partners to engage young people from all backgrounds to be excited by music and singing, the in-school workshops, half-term and Sunday sessions and combined rehearsals, supported by professional musicians, are leading to concert performances at Bridport Arts Centre, Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis and Exeter Cathedral in collaboration with the Woodroffe School, as part of the Jurassic Teaching Schools Alliance.
Work began on the B Sharp Voices project earlier this year at Beaminster, Woodroffe and Colfox secondary schools. Those singers return to the project in the October half term before joining the younger singers and professional vocal coach and musicians for the concerts in Bridport and Lyme Regis in December and the finale performance in Exeter Cathedral in January.
Dot Wood, Director of Arts at Woodroffe says: “We are delighted that the primary schools have embraced this project with such enthusiasm and really look forward to seeing their performance on Tuesday and at Exeter Cathedral in January.”
:: B Sharp Voices, Tuesday, September 30, 6.15pm. St Michael’s Church, Lyme Regis. Tickets available on the door.
To join the next stage for 11-19 year old singers please contact [email protected]
