Musicians work with children’s author ahead of national bow

March 30, 2021

Former Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen

Musicians at Monmouth School Boys’ Prep have been recognised on the national stage.

The Grange Choir has been chosen as one of just 10 choirs from across the UK and Ireland to record the premiere of the song cycle, Everything.

The boys, under the baton of Mr Joe Walton, are the only act chosen from Wales.

And the outstanding choir will be featuring in the exciting virtual event on Friday 14th May on Britten Pears Arts’ YouTube channel.

It is wonderful recognition for Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools.

And a fantastic opportunity for members of The Grange Choir, who will record the song, Life, from the cycle of 10 unheard Friday Afternoons songs by composer Russell Hepplewhite with texts by renowned children’s author and former Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen (pictured).

The 10 choirs were selected after entering an open call in December last year and hail from across the UK.

Earlier this month, the Monmouth boys met Mr Rosen and Mr Hepplewhite for a live webinar and worked with choral animateur Charles MacDougall for extra preparation for their recording.

The other nine choirs involved in the song cycle, Everything, are:
Amherst School Choir, Kent.
Cornwall County Choirs.
Dublin Youth Choir.
Lodge Moor Childrens Choir, Sheffield.
The National Youth Choir of Scotland.
Poco Amabile, Cumbria.
Scunthorpe Co-Operative Junior Choir.
Somerleyton Primary School Choir, Suffolk.
Southend Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs.