| Chorister Outreach Project |
Many exciting things have been happening within Rochester Cathedral Music Department, but arguably the most exciting has been the award of funding for and the development of The Rochester Cathedral Chorister Outreach Project.
After much hard work putting together an attractive application for funding, there was much rejoicing upon hearing the news that we were to receive a grant from the Government to run a Singing Outreach Project on behalf of the Choir Schools Association and Sing-Up to start in 2009. At this point, work began in earnest as there was no-one to lead the project or indeed administrate it! Having advertised for the position of Choral Animateur we were overwhelmed by the wealth of talent amongst the applicants. The interview process was gruelling; the candidates all having to lead a singing workshop with a class of children that they had never seen before and various interviews. We were aided in our decision making by the area leader for Sing-Up, Nancy Gillio Terry and after much deliberation we appointed Suzzie Vango. Suzzie is a wonderfully energetic figure who has brought a tremendous amount of excitement to the project.
The project started in five schools, each being visited ten times by Suzzie who introduced the children to a wide range of repertoire and helping them "find their voices". The culmination of the project was a final concert which happened in the Cathedral on May 1st. In preparation for this occasion, all the children were brought together at The Pilgrim School just under the M2 Medway crossing for a cluster day, joined by the boy choristers. This involvement of the Choristers is an integral part of the project as it shows the high levels that children can achieve in singing, whilst also demonstrating that choristers are ordinary children too! The concert on May 1st was an extraordinary occasion with 250 children from the five schools being joined by both boy and girl choristers from the Kings' School and the Lay Clerks, as well as piano, percussion and organ. It was a truly wonderful sight watching the Choristers (and indeed several of the adult singers) doing the actions in 'Hey, Mr Miller' and 'My dog is a good dog'!
A further seven schools were visited in the Summer term by Suzzie and by Michael Jamieson Smith our excellent chorister vocal coach. We held a cluster day at the Kings' School for the nearly 300 children involved. Michael introduced them to good singing technique aided and abetted by the boy and girl choristers from Kings', the Director of Music and a rubber ring (don't ask!). Rest-assured that a good time was had by all!
A formidable application for continued funding went to the Government in May 2009, and was accepted in July. We are now offering the project to 24 schools throughout Medway, focussing on those with a real need for this kind of work and bringing the joy of singing into their school. Matt Jelf joined the team in September as an animateur. Matt and Suzzie have been visiting the schools, and Michael leads the Cluster Days. Two very successful concerts were held in November and March as a culmination of the work in each of the groups of schools.
The final concert of the year is at 1pm on Monday July 19th so do please come and enjoy the energy and excitement as well as the music.
