Gala Water Singers are thoroughly excited about this summer’s concerts and we really want to share this wonderful music with as many people as possible. Yes, concerts plural because we’re not just performing a wonderful programme of uplifting, joyous African-inspired music in Stow, we’re then performing in Melrose and Hawick – engaging with community singing groups from Heriot to Hawick – while raising money for five charities with a focus on children, Africa or both.
At its heart is the magnificent and exciting musical piece Zimbe! ‘…a brilliant fusion of traditional African song and jazz…’ by Alexander L’Estrange. In Alexander’s own words “…African songs are easy to learn and impossible to forget; that is the very nature of the communal song tradition. From the rising of the sun to its setting, both literally and figuratively. I wanted to capture the essence of the African spirit through glimpses into the human experience – simple children’s playground songs from Ghana and Zimbabwe; a Xhosa lullaby for mothers of the victims of Apartheid; a raucous drinking song; sensuous wedding songs; and some beautiful funeral and worship music – all imbued with the spirit, energy and simplicity that is so typical of the African song tradition.”
This, however, is a piece which demands the involvement more than just one choir, and to be shared in more than one performance, so be prepared for a wonderful spectacle in three venues:
~ In Stow Church on Sunday 1 June at 3pm ‘Songs of Africa’ will be performed by Gala Water Singers; Gala Water Singers Children’s Choir formed from the three valley schools of Heriot, Fountainhall and Stow; Melrose Community Singers formed to sing Zimbe!; guests from the semi-professional Abbey Consort Choir and talented jazz players coming together to create the Zimbe! Jazz Quintet.
~ In Melrose Parish Church on Tuesday 3 June at 7pm ‘Songs of Africa’ will be performed by Gala Water Singers; Gala Water Singers Children’s Choir formed from the three valley schools of Heriot, Fountainhall and Stow; Melrose Primary School Singers formed to sing Zimbe!; Melrose Community Singers formed to sing Zimbe!; guests from the semi-professional Abbey Consort Choir and talented jazz players coming together to create the Zimbe! Jazz Quintet.
~ In Teviot Church Hawick on Tuesday 24 June at 7pm ‘Songs of Africa’ will be performed by Gala Water Singers; Hawick Schools Singers formed to sing Zimbe! from Drumlanrig Primary Year 7 and Hawick High year 1 pupils; Melody Makers – much expanded by enthusiastic new recruits to sing Zimbe!; guests from the semi-professional Abbey Consort Choir and talented jazz players coming together to create the Zimbe! Jazz Quintet.
The rest of the programme complements Zimbe! with African Jigsaw, Africa by Toto and a medley from The Lion King. Charities benefitting are: Save the Children (supporting children in 120 countries); Malawi Street Kids; Malawi Rural Clinic; CLIC Sargent (supporting children with cancer) and Nyumbani Kenya (supporting children with HIV).
Tickets are £8 for adults, school age children free and the concert on our home patch of Stow includes the usual, legendary, exquisite nibbles. Come and experience the ‘spirit, energy and simplicity’ and sheer joy of this musical celebration of the vibrancy of Africa, wrought in the Borders.
Tickets from:
Stow Concert – Stow PO; reserve by phone 01578 730289 or on the door
Melrose Concert: Holmes of Melrose (Kitchen Shop); Melrose Parish Church or on the door
Hawick Concert: Dorwards; Deans & Simpson; Gilroys; Hawick High School or on the door
