IF MUSIC COULD…

A Grand Union Orchestra participatory project for East London.

Public performance Saturday May 20th, 7.30pm St John on Bethnal Green, E2 9PA

Open workshops/rehearsals Saturday May 13th 2.00-6.00pm, Friday 19th 5.00-9.00pm: St John on Bethnal Green

This project is inspired by one of Tony Haynes’s best loved and most moving choral songs for the Grand Union Orchestra, If Music Could…

The original song has five short verses

“If music could bind up the wounded earth, we would do that

If music could strike down the tyrant’s arm, we would do that

If music could bring justice to the oppressed, we would do that

If music could raise loved ones from the grave, we would do that

If music could repair the broken lives, we would do that

If music could, we would”

Here is the original live performance of the whole song:

Each of these lines quite clearly relates to natural, social or political events across the world that daily fill the front pages of our newspapers or dominate the broadcast media.

We are inviting local singers and choirs, from every cultural heritage, to come and join us, and contribute to the performance their own experience or personal response. More than that, if they wish, we are asking them to bring songs from their own cultures (regardless of language or religion) that reflect these themes, or even write songs of their own!

The Grand Union Orchestra, its charismatic musicians and singers, and emerging artists from our Re:Generation Band will provide support. There will also be other music by Tony Haynes, the Company’s founder/composer, who will direct and arrange the contributions, together with our regular collaborator, the distinguished choir director Naveen Arles.

If you are interested in taking part, or would like to know more, please email us info@grandunion.org.uk using the subject line ‘If Music Could’

Timelines

The workshop on Saturday afternoon May 13th will a launch event, when we shall also begin to work on any ideas submitted by participants. Please let us have these by May 1st .

All the choir pieces will then be rehearsed intensively on Friday evening May 19th, with a complete dress rehearsal on Saturday afternoon May 20th for the evening performance.