Hundreds of primary school children are in their final week of preparations for a special performance on Saturday (18th June).

The biennial Children in Song gala concert takes place at the Villa Marina Royal Hall at 7pm.

The concert is a collaboration between the Music Service, part of the Department of Education and Children (DEC), and the Douglas Buxton Music Trust, formed in 1976 to honour the life and achievements of music teacher Mr Buxton, who founded both the Lon Dhoo Male Voice Choir in 1937 and the Lon Vane Ladies’ Choir in 1946.

Sixteen school choirs have rehearsed individually and will come together for the first time on the day to perform The New Chronicles of Mann by the highly regarded composer Lin Marsh.

The piece was specially written for Children in Song in 2010.

Maggie Richardson, Head of Music Service, will conduct the young singers.

She said: ‘This is a wonderful collection of attractive songs and poems which highlight different aspects of life in the Island, from the mystery of Manannan’s Cloak and the Moddey Dhoo, the historical aspects of internment and the Lady Isabella (Laxey Wheel) to the fun of Strolling Down the Prom and the TT Races.

‘Sometimes funny, often thought-provoking, there is something for everyone and the children are really enjoying their rehearsals.

‘Since we first performed the songs back in 2010, it has been great to hear them performed at the Manx Folk Awards and the Manx Music Festival and it is hoped that our 2016 concert will encourage that still further.’

Maggie said: ‘This year we have been fortunate to receive funding from the Dickinson Charitable Trust to provide professionally arranged backing tracks to help the children to learn the songs.’

Ben Tompsett’s instrumental arrangements add a new dimension to the songs and will be played by the band made up of Music Service staff.

Prior to The New Chronicles of Mann, the first half of the concert will see performances from St Mary’s RC School, Onchan Primary School, The Manx Children’s Choir, Scoill Phurt le Moirrey and Ballacottier School.

Guest soloist will be Annabel King, winner of the Sheffield Plate at this year’s Manx Music Festival.

In attendance will be Lieutenant Governor His Excellency Sir Richard Gozney.

Geoff Corkish MBE MLC, a Member of the DEC and Chairman of the Douglas Buxton Trust, said: ‘This will be the eighth Children in Song and we are looking forward to what is always an enjoyable and uplifting concert. We are grateful to the Isle of Man Arts Council, Tower Insurance and the Dickinson Charitable Trust for their generous support of this event.’

Lin Marsh said: ‘I am thrilled to hear that children on the Isle of Man will be singing these songs en masse for a second time. It's lovely to know that different children and a different audience will experience The New Chronicles of Mann.’

Tickets, priced ?7 (?3.50 for under-16s) are available from www.villa-gaiety.com, from the Isle of Man Government Welcome Centre or from the Villa Marina box office.

Photo - Lin Marsh