Students from the Island’s five secondary schools are putting the finishing touches to song, dance, music and poetry they will perform at this Friday’s 11/11/11 concert at the Villa Marina. The gala concert, on the theme of The Angel and the Fallen, and act of remembrance is the climax of a year of celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Royal British Legion. Castle Rushen High School’s Big Band, made up of a dozen 13 to 18-year-olds, will play two wartime favourites, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and In the Mood. Conductor John Kinley, from the DEC’s Music Service, said: ‘It’s a pleasure to support such a worthy cause as the Royal British Legion, which does such sterling work to support the both current and former members of our armed forces and their families.’ Bethanie Christian, Francesca Glover, Graihagh Brew, Hannah McCune and Nicole Kenny will represent Ballakermeen High School, singing two songs and performing two solo dances. Stephanie Gomaa, the school’s Deputy Faculty Leader of Arts, said: ‘We are delighted to be involved with what promises to be an interesting and wonderful concert. Ballakermeen is thrilled to be a part of it and we hope that our offerings will pay a fitting tribute.’ Janet Foster, Head of Performing Arts at Queen Elizabeth II High School, said: ‘Fourteen Year 11 students who are studying GCSE performing arts have created a dance to go with extracts of music from The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins. The students will be joined by another Year 11 student who will sing a solo. The choreography has been created by the students as part of their course. ‘Researching this work has meant that the students have a greater understanding of the idea of war and all that this entails, not only for the men and women involved in conflict but their families at home.’ Ramsey Grammar School’s Brass Band will appear under the baton of Jennifer Cook, Head of Brass and Percussion for the Music Service. Twenty-one students aged 11 to 18 are involved and Miss Cook said: ‘The brass band is delighted to represent RGS for such a worthy cause as the Royal British Legion 11/11/11 concert. We have chosen a varied programme, including the beautiful A Special Place, written by the late Goff Richards for the Children’s Hospice South West, which will feature our principal cornet, Illiam Quane.’ St Ninian’s High School’s 25-strong Upper School Choir will sing Home by Gillies, Buble and Chang, and You Raise Me Up by Graham and Lovland. ‘Our students were very keen to be part of this important event and are very much looking forward to the experience of performing at the Villa Marina,’ Claire Creer, Head of Music, said. ‘St Ninian’s marks Remembrance Day in a number of ways, from students playing the Last Post at both schools to holding dedicated assemblies, so performing at this concert reinforces the message to the students of what an important day it is.’ Primary and secondary schools have been involved throughout the 90th anniversary celebrations, with assemblies, a tea dance and poetry, poster and art competitions. The poster advertising Friday’s concert is based on a winning design by Christopher Whiting, 14, a student at King William’s College. Both the competition and the concert are sponsored by Boston Group. Other poster entries, together with entries for the poetry and school work of art competitions, both supported by Scottish Widows, will be on display in the Villa Marina Colonnade Suite from 6.30pm on the evening of the concert. At the concert, Castle Rushen students Rachel Frankwick, Megan Howland and Rachel Staniford will read out the poems that won them first, second and third place in the Key Stage 3 section of the poetry competition. The concert, directed by John Bethell MBE, will also feature the King William’s College chapel choir, the Isle of Man Wind Orchestra, Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums and Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band. Tickets are ?10 and are available from the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre box office on 600555 or www.villagaiety.com ENDS