JAM and London Mozart Players join forces for community oratorio
Florence Lockheart
Friday, June 9, 2023
The Sky Engine, which touches on themes of climate disaster, will premiere on 14 July at JAM on the Marsh festival with more than 160 performers including school children, actors and amateur and professional musicians
JAM, the arts organisation behind the annual JAM on the Marsh festival, will next month join forces with the London Mozart Players (LMP) for the premiere of community oratorio The Sky Engine. The two organisations will build on their history of collaboration to present this work with more than 160 performers including school children, actors and amateur and professional musicians.
JAM’s largest commission to date, the work is composed by Richard Peat to words by children’s author Timothy Knapman. The Sky Engine focuses on the very relevant theme of climate disaster, telling the story of a father and daughter who save a dying world. Narrated by actor Kudzanayi Chiwawa, the oratorio will bring together over 100 children from two Romney Marsh Primary schools with the Canterbury Cathedral Choir, mezzo soprano Rebecca Afowny-Jones and bass Julian Close, and an orchestra combining LMP musicians and community players under the leadership of conductor Michael Bawtree.
LMP chief executive Flynn Le Brocq said: ‘LMP has a long history of working with and in the local community – specifically Croydon and the surrounding areas. We’re really pleased to now develop this work with JAM in Kent. JAM has built an incredible reputation for championing new music and I’m delighted that we are able to collaborate once again on a truly community focussed project.’
The world premiere of The Sky Engine will take place at St. Nicholas Church in the Kent town of New Romney on 14 July as part of the 2023 JAM on the Marsh festival. The community musicians will benefit from mentor sessions with members of LMP in July before the premiere. The project, supported by organisations including music charity Orchestras Live, is the culmination of JAM’s educational outreach programme which supplies weekly afterschool singing sessions in primary schools in the Romney Marsh area.
Orchestras Live regional producer Sooree Pillay said: ‘First experiences are so important in building a life-long love of the music. This project, bringing local children and members of the community of all ages together with professional musicians, all with the collective aim of making a beautiful public performance, is a true celebration of art and culture and what it can achieve in a community.’
