Waters of Time
COLSTON HALL, BRISTOL
Somerset County Youth Choir
Somerset Chamber Choir
Canticle
Singers from Somerset Primary & Secondary Schools
Somerset County Youth Concert Band & Orchestra
Advanced Strings Group
Staff from Somerset Music
Ronald Corp conductor
Sixteen members of Somerset Chamber Choir were pleased to take part in this performance in the Colston Hall (now known as the Bristol Beacon). The following is reproduced from the concert programme.
Welcome from Graham Bland, Director of Somerset Music
'..equality of access; quality tuition; excellence in music. All music for all.'
'They all come looking for Avalon'
Welcome, everyone, to the Colston Hall for this performance of Waters of Time with music by Ronald Corp and words by Marilyn Floyde performed for you by the Somerset County Youth Choir, the Somerset Chamber Choir, the County Council's choir Canticle and singers from local Somerset primary and secondary schools, accompanied by members of the Somerset County Youth Concert Band and Orchestra, the Advanced Strings group, students from Somerset schools and staff from Somerset Music conducted by Ronald Corp.
It is difficult to express how much pleasure it gives me to write those words; they represent the end of a long, sometimes difficult, sometimes challenging, often exciting and certainly successful journey for many of the people involved in this event. The seed of the idea had been around for a while - that we would work together to create and perform a musical and lyrical celebration of Wells and the Somerset Wetlands, such a beautiful and ancient part of England.
The World Premiere of Waters of Time was performed at Wells Cathedral in February to such critical acclaim that we felt inspired to put on another performance, and so decided to bring it to the attention of a wider audience by performing at the Colston Hall.
I am delighted to tell you that, since September 2005, over 400 young people from around 25 schools have been involved in some aspect of the project and although they are not all on the platform tonight I am sure that they are here in spirit. I do know that they have all enjoyed and benefitted from their involvement in some, or all, of the vocal workshops and rehearsals along the way. And when I consider the young musicians in the Somerset County Youth Choir and the project orchestra, I realise that there are pupils from at least an additional 25 Somerset Schools, so more than 50 Somerset Schools are represented here tonight.
Somerset Music is committed to access, breadth and quality, but a mission statement is nothing until it comes true; tonight it will come true! Thanks to the words of Marilyn and the music of Ron we will weave mystical tapestries, cast spells, recount the myths and legends, and tell the tales of this part of Somerset - Wells and the Wetlands. The witch deep underground, King Arthur and Monmouth, the Wyvern and the Bishop and a whole host of local characters populate the piece; we will tell you of fairs and battles and much more besides. Thanks to the work of Penny Dunscombe and her team, the performers that you will hear tonight have encountered new music, will achieve high standards of musical performance, will leave here tonight with an important memory indelibly etched in their minds and go on to 'live well and in peace forever'. These opportunities change young people for the better, and for ever! These experiences can help young people to be healthy and safe, to make a positive contribution and to enjoy and achieve. This is our core purpose, this is what we stand for. My thanks to all those involved who have contributed to this remarkable achievement and I hope that you are entertained, delighted and moved by what you hear tonight.