Rotary Club of
PRESS RELEASE – 4th March 2006
Communications & Press
officer Ian Valentine ian@cival.info
Public Relations
Children’s
Concert a huge success, and another to follow.
Over 400 children from primary schools in the Ascot and Maidenhead area participated in a hugely successful concert in the Hexagon theatre, Reading, on Sunday, 22nd February.
The show, entitled 'Rhythms of Life', depicted the four seasons - spring through winter with songs, Morris dancing, poems, percussion bands, solo performances and the whole 400 group singing all linked by a newsroom style of presentation with young roving reporters carrying out interviews appropriate to the time of the year. The programme had a vitality and enthusiasm which captivated the audience composed mostly of proud parents and grandparents. The precision of movement when all 400 children were swaying or generally in tune with the moment was very impressive. A particularly amusing point was when summer was announced and all 400 children donned sunglasses!
The show was developed, produced and conducted by Clive Waterman. Clive's boundless energy was reflected in the evident enjoyment of all who took part. Clive was supported by musicians on piano, base and drums which provided a depth to the voices of the children.
The show was financed and supported by the Rotary Clubs of Ascot and Wokingham. Souvenir programmes were available containing every participant’s school and individual name to provide a permanent record of their involvement. A show of this nature costs a great amount of money to set-up but it is hoped that a surplus will be realised to feed back in local charities including education activities.
Alan Penny, president of the Rotary Club of Ascot, said afterward “It was a fabulous evening with the children performing well beyond expectations. Clive Waterman's choreography of the movement of the performers on/off the stage and their positioning between acts was just brilliant.” He reflected on the centenary of Rotary and the willingness of Rotarians everywhere to live up to the Rotary Founder's motto of 'Service above Self'. The evening's concert being one very good example of how Rotary was able to provide a lasting experience for every youngster taking part as well as realising funds for further charitable causes.
Distinguished guests included Rotary District Governor David Buckland and his wife, Carol, Peter Hunt of the Berkshire Young Musicians Trust, and senior members of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Education Department including:
· Malcolm Peckham ( Director of Education ) and his wife Peggy
· Jeff Smith ( Head of Teaching & Learning)
· Karen Butler & Debbie Townsend (Senior Advisors)
Some of the young performers
(L to R) Alan Penny (President of the Rotary Club of Ascot), David Buckland (Rotary District Governor) and Kashmir Badyal (President of the Rotary Club of Wokingham)
(L to R) David Buckland (Rotary District Governor), Alan Penny (President of the Rotary Club of Ascot), Kashmir Badyal (President of the Rotary Club of Wokingham) and Malcolm Peckham - director of Education Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Schools
which participated in the concert on 26th February were:-
CHEAPSIDE CE PRIMARY SCHOOL, Sunninghill
COOKHAM DEAN CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
COURTHOUSE JUNIOR SCHOOL
FURZE PLATT JUNIOR SCHOOL
HOLYPORT CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
KNOWL HILL CE PRIMARY SCHOOL i
OLDFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL
ST EDMUND CAMPION PRIMARY SCHOOL
WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE PRIMARY SCHOOL i
WESSEX JUNIOR SCHOOL
WHITE WALTHAM CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
WOODLANDS PARK PRIMARY
And another Children’s Concert still to
come
Another
concert, featuring pupils from schools in the
Windsor area, is scheduled for Sunday 19th March. This promises to be another great evening,
and will be attended by the Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of
Windsor and Maidenhead, Councillor Eric Wiles
If you wish to send a reporter and/or a photographer to cover this event, please contact Bill Sheppard on 01344 628324 or David Gold on 0118 977 7278 to make arrangements