YOUNG voices will premiere a cat-chy new musical work at the Villa Marina in June.
Hundreds of primary school pupils will give the first airing to Jazzy Jinks – a 45-minute musical drama about jazz-playing cats – when they part in the biennial Children in Song concert at the Villa Marina.
Animateur, children’s songwriter and former teacher Rebecca Lawrence was commissioned to create the concert’s centrepiece and based it on stories her father recounted about a childhood pet.
‘I have let my imagination run riot,’ Rebecca said. ‘It is one of the most exciting jobs to create something new and it will be even more rewarding to see and hear the world premiere in June in your beautiful Island.
‘My father used to tell me about a cat he had as child, Jimbonathan Jinks,’ Rebecca said. ‘The name seemed magical and the story quickly developed.
‘Underneath the houses is a world where cats live a fantastical life out of sight from human eyes. Jimbonathan Jinks plays trombone and longs to create the Jazzy Jinks Jazz Band. The musical follows his journey as he auditions players.
‘Cats sing stories about their lives, through swing, scat, ballad and rap. However, he searches in vain for a lead singer and longs for his cherished Celeste, a beautiful singer he knew in Paris. Will he ever find her and will the Jazzy Jinks Band ever perform?
‘The rich diversity of musical styles, moods and melodies will create wonderful musical memories for all the children, staff and parents.’ Rebecca said.
Children have begun work on the project in their classrooms and will come together for rehearsals before the concert, Maggie Richardson, Head of Music Service with the Department of Education and Children, explained.
As well as the main piece, the concert will also see individual performances by school choirs and groups.
Maggie said: ‘I am delighted Rebecca has composed such a vibrant work for our schoolchildren and their teachers to enjoy. Every primary school has a copy of the beautifully produced rehearsal CD and book, which will help enormously with the learning process.
‘I am sure the concert on June 16th will be a memorable occasion and I hope children will still be singing these wonderful songs for years to come.’
Children in Song is staged by the Douglas Buxton Music Trust, which was formed to honour the achievements of the late Mr Buxton, a music teacher and inspiration to generations of singers who famously founded the Lon Dhoo Male Voice Choir in 1937 and the Lon Vane Ladies Choir in 1946.
A library exists in his name at the Department of Education and Children’s Music Centre in Lord Street, Douglas.
The Trust is grateful for support towards the project from the Appleby Charitable Foundation, the Music Service and the Isle of Man Arts Council. Appleby Managing Partner Sean Dowling said: ‘We are pleased to have Rebecca Lawrence on board for what should be an entertaining concert for all.’ He continued: ‘Appleby strongly supports community events such as this and we would like to thank the DEC for the invitation to be involved.’
In 2010, 400 children from 18 schools, plus the Manx Children’s Choir, performed the world premiere of The New Chronicles of Mann, a specially commissioned work by highly regarded composer Lin Marsh.
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