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‘Beware the Mackerel Sky’
Earlier this Summer term Lancing College Chapel hosted a community company of musicians and spectators for a unique musical performance project in celebration of our 175th Anniversary Year and the opening of Shipley Arts Festival 2024.
180 local Sussex school children (from primary, prep, and secondary schools) united in the Lancing College Chapel for three spectacular world premiere performances of dramatic smuggling local tale ‘Beware the Mackerel Sky’. The children performed alongside the Lancing College Choir, musicians from the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Bernardi Music Group String Academy and Opera soloists.
A grand total of 381 multi-generational and multi-disciplined performers filled the Chapel with the sounds of a folk opera, which blended choral, opera, musical theatre, folk and orchestral music.
Composer and Sing with Strings Project Manager, Christopher Hussey reflects on the incredible weekend, ‘I was exceedingly proud of all 381 singers and instrumentalists from whom emanated such spirit, enthusiasm, and joy in bringing to life our smuggling folk opera in the glorious Chapel! It was so humbling to see such whole-hearted participation and skilful execution from each of the performing groups, from the adults’ chorus and principal singers to the children’s choir and orchestra. Their independent rehearsal and collective collaboration perfectly demonstrated the power of a cooperative community – whether smuggling on the beaches of Shoreham in the 19th century or music-making in the 21st – Huzzah!’
Lancing College Director of Music, Mr Alex Mason says ‘It has been a privilege for Lancing College to host such an inspiring project. ‘Beware the Mackerel Sky’ has brought together instrumentalists and singers young and old from across the region in a truly celebratory event. Bravo to all involved!’
Head Master, Dominic Oliver adds ‘We were delighted to welcome participants and the local community to the Beware the Mackerel Sky performance project in our magnificent College Chapel. The event was an important celebration in our 175th anniversary calendar. Congratulations to Sing with Strings, Bernardi Music Group String Academy, the Yehudi Menuhin School, and all performing groups on such a spectacular musical collaboration.’
The Team:
Artistic Director - Andrew Bernardi
Composer and Project Manager - Christopher Hussey
Book/Stage Director - Theresa Gooda (based on an original book and lyrics by Charlie Olsen)
Conductor - Steve Dummer
Chorus Directors - Emily Barden, Aedan Kerney MBE and Alexander Mason
Narrator – Sue Pollard
Opera Singers - Daisy Bevan, Juliet Schiemann, Graham Neal and Benjamin Bevan
Soloists – James Gardner, James Potten and Maya Sewrey
Full list of performing groups: |
School Choirs: |
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