Cantata Remembers the Fallen

PRESS RELEASE
 
Monday 21 May 2018
 
Cantata Remembers the Fallen
 
A unique 30 minute production of words and music has been written by primary school children in Cardiff to commemorate the end of World War One.
 
Thornhill Primary School were approached by the Goldies Cymru charity last year with details of their intergenerational programme linked to the final months of World War One.
 
Through deputy head Liz Berry and music teacher Claire Holcombe the school has a close link with the ‘Goldies’ charity that brightens the lives of hundreds of older isolated people across South Wales through its daytime Sing&Smile sessions.
 
“Goldies is really very special and we have worked with its founder Grenville Jones in the past on WW1 projects which the children have thoroughly enjoyed and it has certainly helped to broaden their knowledge of the importance of how the First World War affects lives and communities today.”
 
Following conversations with Grenville Jones, the charity founder, the school set out to research and write their special production called Armistice Cantata. It contains seven songs with original words from the children and set to popular tunes from 100 years ago. The children composed the melodies and also the narrative that accompanies the piece. There are solos which feature the children and plans to perform Armistice Cantata in the months leading up to Armistice Day Sunday November 11.
 
It was launched last November in Cardiff and was then made available for schools across the United Kingdom to access and perform as part of their individual WW1 commemorations.
 
Goldies Cymru is supported by the Big Lottery Fund in Wales, Heritage Lottery Fund First World War, the Moondance Foundation and the Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust.
 
“Armistice Cantata is a very poignant and moving production and special credit must go to Claire Holcombe, the music teacher at Thornhill, who guided the children in all aspects of originating both words and music. There is a full information pack with CDs, music scores, narrative and supporting visuals and over 20 schools have already ordered their copies,” said Grenville Jones, founder of Goldies Cymru.
 
Full details of Goldies sessions across South Wales can be found on the website www.goldiescymru.org.uk
 
ENDS
 
The attached photographs were taken at the launch last November and show children from Thornhill Primary School performing Armistice Cantata.
 
Press enquiries to Liz Berry, deputy head at Thornhill Primary School, can be contacted on 02920 751302
Or Grenville Jones, Goldies Cymru founder, on 07778 282934.