A Celebration of Peace: Music, Dance and Drama from Around the World. in AID of Rotary Charities and Shropshire Federation of Women’S Institutes
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PRESENTS A Celebration of Peace: Music, Dance and Drama from around the World. IN AID OF Rotary Charities and Shropshire Federation of Women’s Institutes THEATRE SEVERN Saturday 17 November 2018 7.30pm THANK YOU Many, many thanks for attending our concert this evening. It is very kind of you to take time out of your busy lives to join the Concord community for our celebration of Peace. You will be aware that this month marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One. In that terrible confl ict, millions of young men, some as young as 16 (and even 15 and 14) died. Many more were injured or maimed. Amongst these vast numbers and the somewhat remote black and white images that remain, it is easy to forget that they were individuals who each had their own hopes, dreams and loves. Too many then and in the numerous wars since, have had these dreams snatched away. In tribute, tonight you will see 362 of our wonderful students interpreting the theme of Peace through music, dance, drama and spoken word. Our students have been given freedom to explore this theme as they feel is appropriate from their personal and national perspectives. Our celebration recognises the pain of war and the privilege of growing up and growing old. Please follow the show through the guidance notes in the programme. On the theme of Peace, you may not be aware, but Concord College was set up in 1949 as a direct response to the agony of World War Two. Its aim was to bring young people together from around the world in a spirit of harmony. Over the years, as the College has grown, this underlying commitment to international human decency has grown with it. Currently, our community consists of 600 pupils from 44 nations who live by this sentiment each day. Finally, just a reminder that Concord College is not a school of the performing arts. For many of the students you will see tonight, this will be their fi rst experience of performing on stage, let alone in a professional theatre. For most - whose families live outside the UK - their parents will not be in the audience. Please support them as warmly as you can: they will really appreciate it… Mr Neil Hawkins, Principal, Concord College Special Thanks to: Microvideo Live Broadcast and DVD Production, Steve Edwards – Live Sound, Johnathan Tritton – Stage Lighting and Maggie Love - Production Manager In the wonderful rural county of Shropshire, we have nearly 3,500 members in 120 WIs, ranging in size from 20 to over 70 members. It doesn’t matter if you can’t bake, make jam, paint or sew (yet) because we are an educational charity and we offer opportunities to learn new skills through workshops and share old skills with other members. Each and every WI is the sum of its members and whichever WI you join; you become part of that sum. You have influence on what happens at the meetings in equal measure to the other members and all we ask is that you show care and consideration towards other members of the WI. It doesn’t have to take a lot of your time (although it can if you want it to!). There are 11 monthly meetings each year which will give you an opportunity to chat, listen and learn. We all understand that time for yourself is a very valuable resource to be treasured and shared. Our campaigning action demonstrates that women working together are extremely strong and effective and can bring about real change on a wider scale. If you are over 18, female (or living as female) and you would like to join us, please email [email protected] with your name and postcode. We will then pass your information on to the WIs in your area of Shropshire. We look forward to hearing from you. 9 Park Plaza, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 3AF Tel: 01743 461646 Email: [email protected] PROGRAMME Um Canto De Afoxé Para O Bloco Do Ilê Peace in a tree Africa ‘Akwaaba’ The performance illustrates the idea of peace through the use of conflict and dance between separate individual groups with the conclusion of unity where the groups resolve their issues through their culture and dance to create the image of peace. India ‘Combining Cultures’ With 29 different states, each with a different culture, India is a diverse and engaging land. We have chosen 3 cultures to highlight India’s diversity and to explore how, despite differences; they live in peace and unity. Peace in Family Malaysia ‘Satu Malaysia’ A compilation of modern and traditional dances from the three distinct cultures that reside in Malaysia, representing the peace and unity between them. Hong Kong ‘Come Home Love’ Thousands of miles away from Hong Kong, we have found a new family here at Concord. A family which lives together in peace and harmony, a family which guides us on our journey to self-discovery. ‘Come Home Love’ speaks of how family will always be here for us - no matter how far away we have travelled, no matter how much time has passed. Kazakhstan ‘Kara Zhorga’ Kazakhstan is home to a total of 130 nationalities. “Kara Zhorga” is a folk dance which not only represents peace, harmony and friendship within these nationalities but also speaks for the unity in our country’s culture. Peace in a Book Indonesia ‘Tarian Nusantara’ Showing unity and harmony, our dance comprised from different areas of Indonesia tells the story of how diverse tribes come together out of love, peace and friendship. China ‘Lotus Peace’ Taking inspiration from the act of Confusicious, the Chinese society presents a dance of the Lotus. The Lotus flower represents long life and honour as the flower rises from the mud and transforms into beauty. Singapore ‘Moving Forward’ ‘Take Heart’ is a song which symbolises strength and determination. The lyrics symbolise our love for Singapore from afar ‘Oh you’re everything to me, loved you ever since the day we parted’. Our nation has achieved unity and peace. Previous National Day songs ‘Tomorrow’s Here Today’ and ‘Our Singapore’ communicate how we are using this peace to move forward together as a united, peaceful nation. INTERVAL Cello concerto in E minor, Op.85, mvt 1 Edward Elgar Love not War Danny Boy Trad. Arr. Ian McCubbin Thailand ‘Devil’s Heart (Hua-Jai-Tos-Sa-Gun)’ Based upon Ancient Mythology, our traditional Thai dance performed alongside traditional Thai music, tells the story of a great battle. A battle which has taught us an important lesson: ‘Winning a war will only pause the conflict but understanding will bring us peace’. Korea ‘The Hope for Peace’ A fusion of traditional and modern Korean dances represents the divide of our great country and the hope for reunification. The hope for a Korea at peace. Eastern European ‘The Value of Peace’ With countries ranging from Russia to the Czech Republic and Finland, the Eastern European Society presents a respectful nod towards the Second World War. Within each culture the never fading memory of the immense loss is a lasting reminder to all of the pain caused when peace is lost. The piece juxtaposes the heart-breaking nature of war against the euphoric return to peace, as only in contrast with a great loss can one truly understand the value of peace. Peace in our Potential Vietnam ‘Life of a soldier’ The performance tells the story of a Vietnamese child from the moment she was born, through the gruelling years she spent fighting in the Vietnam War and finally to the peaceful days she enjoyed when the war came to an end. Imagine John Lennon arr. by A Stevens Britain“Mr Blue Sky” Jeff Lyne, Electric Light Orchestra Peace in Britain is defined by the swinging 60s. An era of social reflection, hope and promise. Our dance highlights this movement for universal peace and unity. Peace in Religion All you Need is Love Lennon + McCartney arr. by A Stevens THE RETIRING COLLECTION THIS YEAR AT THE END OF THE PERFORMANCE WILL BE IN AID OF POLIO PLUS Since making the pledge in 1985 to eradicate polio - its most ambitious programme to date - Rotary International in partnership with health agencies has brought the number of cases of polio down by 99.9 percent. Where there were 350,000 new cases of the disease every year, there were only 37 in 2016. This last 0.1 percent must be wiped out to make sure no child falls prey to this paralysing and sometimes fatal illness, that has been the world’s greatest cause of disability. In 2017, just 3 countries have reported cases of the polio virus - Nigeria, Afghanistan & Pakistan. In 2017, more than 430 million children were vaccinated in 39 countries using almost two billion doses of oral polio vaccine. More than 650,000 paralytic cases of polio are now prevented every year. Regular immunisation activities in these and neighbouring countries, supported by Rotary members from Great Britain and Ireland and across the world, are having a positive impact, particularly in India where the last recorded new case was in January 2011, and India was offi cially declared offi cially polio free in January 2014. Because there is no cure, the best protection against polio is prevention. For as little as 25p worth of vaccine, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life. Polio knows no borders and carriers frequently move from one country to another. The virus can therefore reappear in previously polio free countries.