Young musical ambassadors return from Memphis
Publication date: Friday 5 March 2010
Haringey's young musicians have just returned from Memphis, Tennessee where they have been performing to huge crowds and learning about civil rights.
During the trip, 85 young people aged from ten to 19-years-old worked alongside young American performers to gain insights into the city’s history and culture.
Flautist Maya Cardwell, a pupil at Hornsey School for Girls, said
“I had an amazing time in Memphis. I really enjoyed the workshops, trips and concerts. It was an experience I will never forget.”
The Haringey Young Musicians trip coincided with Black History Month in the United States, so the young people visited the National Museum of Civil Rights and performed music influenced by cultures across the world.
The young people also travelled the famous blues trail to the Delta, played alongside blues musicians in The Centre for Southern Folklore, performed in the Memphis Orpheum Theatre and visited Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion.
Cllr Lorna Reith, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“Our young musicians had an amazing experience, which has developed their musical skills, increased their understanding of the world and helped them create new friendships.
“These young people have been fantastic ambassadors for Haringey and have made a very positive impression on their hosts.”
The Symphony Orchestra, Big Band and Park View Academy’s dance troupe took part in the trip from February 12 to 21.
Fleming J. Ivory, founder and director of the Memphis Youth Performing Arts Company (MYPAC), said:
“From the moment I met our friends at the airport, I knew from their energy and excitement that it was going to be a week the Mid South and The Delta will remember for years to come.
”Haringey Young Musicians performed at schools in Memphis to screaming students and standing ovations, moved by their well-rounded repertoire.”
The young people will be sharing their experiences and their music – including several compositions created especially for the trip – at a series of homecoming concerts this month.
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More than 20 musical groups for young people meet in Haringey every week, playing a variety of styles including Turkish folk music, African drumming, jazz, classical guitar and steel pans. In total, 5,500 young people are learning to play an instrument through Haringey Young Musicians.
Haringey hosted a similar visit by The Girls and Boys Choir of Memphis last March. The American visitors performed at schools across the borough, culminating in a performance at Alexandra Palace.
“Haringey Young Musicians” is the umbrella name for all out-of-school activities organised by Haringey Council’s Music and Performing Arts Centre. The activities are supported by a parent-teacher association of the same name, which is also a registered charity.
Haringey Young Musicians and the wider work of the Haringey Council Music and Performing Arts Centre are nationally and internationally recognised for their good practice.
The trip to Memphis was not funded by Haringey Council. The majority of the funding has been raised through parental contributions plus assorted fundraising, donations and grants from external bodies. These funds have been managed by the Haringey Young Musicians PTA.
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