Nova Hreod students take Zimbe! to the London stage
Students from the Nova Hreod Choir took to the stage this week for a sold-out performance at London’s prestigious Lyceum Theatre.
Conducted by popular composer Alexander L’Estrange, Nova Hreod Academy students and staff joined with other United Learning schools from all across the country to perform songs from Zimbe!
Zimbe! is an imaginative fusion of traditional African song and jazz which as a choral piece seeks to bring communities together. Given the geographic spread of the schools, students from Nova Hreod Academy had been rehearsing their parts alone for months, with very few opportunities to practise as one ensemble choir before the final show-stopping performance at the central London venue.
Catherine Barker, Head of Music and Performing Arts for United Learning, said:
‘I am immensely proud of all the students and staff that have performed in and helped organise such a spectacular event.
‘I am particularly pleased with the feedback from students and staff who have said how much they enjoyed the opportunity to get together with other schools to perform Zimbe! Events like this one show off the uniqueness of a group like United Learning as a true partnership between state and independent schools.’
Jon Coles, Chief Executive of United Learning, said:
‘One of the advantages of being a national group of schools is that we can bring our most talented pupils together from all over the country to participate in events like this. An opportunity to sing in a magnificent theatre like the Lyceum is an ambition that many have but few have the chance to realise. So it's been wonderful to see our singers enjoy the experience and come together to perform.’
Alex Gray, Teacher of Music at Nova Hreod Academy, said:
‘This was an incredible day for our students; Alexander L’Strange and Catherine Barker created a vibrant show and did an amazing job of making such an ambitious project come together.’
Student Jessica Hunt said:
'We arrived at the Lyceum Theatre where we were seated, we then started to practice. Alexander L'Estrange went through all the African songs with us. We did this a few times until we were ready to perform. The performance was amazing, we all had so much fun.'
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