Latest News – Page 17

Melodians Annual Award Presentation Concert, 14th December 2013

Posted on July 7, 2014 | By Terry Noel

The Melodians Christmas Concert was held on Saturday 14^th December 2013 at Henry Cavendish School in Balham.

All the family, friends and supporters of the Melodians turned out in force to support them and enjoy the evening.

The special guests for the evening were Gavin Nicholas – The High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago, Councillor Mark Bennett – The late Mayor of Lambeth, Jeremy Deller – creator of ‘English Magic’ and Alexandra Hardy – the Head Teacher of Henry Cavendish.

The programme was an exciting mix of old favourites and the latest pieces that the Melodians have learned. It finished with the most recent and interesting addition to their repertoire – Bohemian Rhapsody by the legendary Freddie Mercury which completed the programme to thunderous applause.

The concert was followed by speeches and the presentation of awards.

Jeremy Deller with one of the new players Molly McDonell-Reid.

The High Commissioner, Gavin Nicholas presenting the Robert Thompson trophy for ‘The Most Promising Player’ to Azaria Francis.

Molly presenting a bouquet to the Head Teacher Alexandra Hardy.

The late Mayor, a previous Mayor Rudy Daley, Jeremy Deller and Mary Noel.

Thank you letters June 2013

Posted on July 5, 2014 | By Terry Noel

After we arrived back in the UK we were delighted to receive thank you letters from the British High Commission in Lusaka and also the Chairman of the organisers of the Livingstone Festival.

Livingstone Festival 19th to 21st June 2013

Posted on July 5, 2014 | By Terry Noel

We left Lusaka by road on the 19th June and had a long drive to Livingstone with the instruments. When we got there we were able to have a day out at Victoria Falls which was absolutely fantastic.

Then we were onto the floats for 2 days of the First International Cultural Arts Festival in Livingstone created to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of the Scottish missionary David Livingstone.

Melodians visit Zambia 12th to 24th June 2013

Posted on July 29, 2013 | By Terry Noel

Melodians visit to Zambia, June 2013

Heathrow Airport 12th June 2013

First Republican President of Zambia Dr Kenneth Kaunda and other invited guests dance to the music of the UK- based Melodians Steel Orchestra during commemoration of the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth ll at the residence of the British High Commissioner in Lusaka. 14th June 2013.

The President meeting members of the Orchestra

Melodians with the British High Commissioner James Thornton his wife and two daughters.

Workshop Session with children from the American International School.

Workshop session with students from four different Secondary Schools in Lusaka

The Melodians at the Venice Biennale 29th May 2013

Posted on June 5, 2013 | By Terry Noel

We were invited to play at the opening of the festival in Venice on the 29th of May 2013 and in the evening at the launch party.

Transporting the instruments around Venice is interesting to say the least!

The link to the film English Magic with the Melodians playing the background music is here.

The Melodians at Abbey Road Studios 13th March 2013

Posted on May 19, 2013 | By Matt Harmon

DSCF4549 — The Melodians at Abbey Road Studios, March 18 2013

We were given the opportunity by Jeremy Deller (the 2004 Turner Prize winner) to record the soundtrack for his film ‘English Magic’ at the Abbey Road Studios. We recorded three pieces of music

· Excerpts from Symphony in D minor by Vaughn Williams

· The Man Who Sold the World by David Bowie and

· Voodoo Ray by A Guy called Gerald.

We had our photo taken with Jeremy Deller on the famous Abbey Road crossing. There was a camera crew recording the event and taking photos which we discovered later was incorporated into the film ‘English Magic’ shown at the Biennale. (Photos at the Abbey Road studios and on the crossing are in the News Feed already.)