Talented children to pull a few strings at annual concert

School children will pull more than a few strings when they perform their annual concert next month.

Scores of youngsters, aged nine to 18, will perform at Warwick Academy in the Menuhin Foundation of Bermuda’s annual concert.

Terri Allison, the Foundation’s chairperson, said: “This is the culmination of a year of hard work and practice. The concert represents the highlight of the Menuhin Foundation’s year-long work in the community.”

According to a press release, primary schools from across the island will be taking part in the event which will also feature the Menuhin Foundation Adult Ensemble, the Sandys Project Ensemble and the Menuhin Foundation Scholarship Winner 2013-14 Gabriel Jones on the violin and Jonathan Kightley on the piano.

It will culminate in a Grand Finale with everyone joining to perform the Hoe Down composed by Stanley Fletcher and conducted by Charles Knight.

Mrs Allison added: “In 1976, Lord Yehudi Menuhin was in Bermuda to perform in the Bermuda Festival. 

“His visit to the string group at Warwick Academy sparked his interest and out of it grew the idea to establish a string quartet in Bermuda that would provide instruction in stringed instruments to all of Bermuda’s school children.

“To take this dream to fruition, the Menuhin Foundation was created.”

Now the Foundation employs five string musicians who carry out group or individual teaching and its Schools Free Programme is in every Government primary school. Its Saturday Centre runs three orchestras.

The concert will be held on Saturday June 7 at 6 pm at the Warwick Academy. Ticket Price $20 adults, $10 for children and are available at the door. 

For more information about the Foundation visit: www.menuhin.bm

Full programme:

Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Elliot, West End, St David’s, St George’s Preparatory, Gilbert Institute, Purvis and Northlands Primaries.

Circle Madness – V. Miller & Thomas Gregory

Clown Dance – Thomas Gregory

Morning Sunshine – Thomas Gregory

Under the Coconut Tree – Thomas Gregory

Paget, Victor Scott, Heron Bay and East End Primaries, Bermuda Institute, Bermuda High School for Girls and Somersfield

Manhattan Blues – Thomas Gregory

St. Anthony Chorale – Arr. Thomas Gregory

Afternoon Rain – Thomas Gregory

Dark Horse – Thomas Gregory

Francis Patton, Harrington, Dalton E. Tucker, Port Royal, West Pembroke, Somerset and Prospect Primaries, Saltus Junior

Hokey Cokey – Arr. Thomas Gregory 

Jig – Arr. Thomas Gregory

Grand Old Duke of York – Arr. Thomas Gregory

Airport – Thomas Gregory

Menuhin Foundation Adult Ensemble

Directed by Alison Johnstone

Menuhin Foundation First Orchestra

Conducted by Kerry Haslam and Alison Johnstone

Menuhin Foundation Intermediate Orchestra

Pirates of the Caribbean – Klaus Badelt

Conducted by Jonathan Kightley

Ensembles

Alexander Fox – Violin, Liam Peniston – Cello, Mira Hartwig, Sofia Montarsolo, Tashae Trott and Megan Zimmerer – Violins, Kerry Haslam – Piano

Sandys Project Ensemble

Conducted by Alison Black