On Wednesday 1st of July, North Lakes School Transition Choir travelled to Rheged to join children from Armathwaite, Bewcastle, Greystoke, Hayton and Yanwath schools for a special gathering of the North Cumbria Transition Choir and Ensemble. 

The Music and Film sharing event entitled ‘Stone Meets Sky’ was held the Rheged IMAX cinema – the coolest place to be on the hottest day of the year!

North Lakes were first to showcase with poetry and song writing based on Long Meg and her Daughters.  We began with a song written by Year 6 based on a poem by Abby H – this was accompanied by piano, flutes, drums and guitars all played by the composers of the piece!  Our second performance involved all of NLS Transition Choir is a rousing chant written by Lewis W.  To add to the ambience, a sombre rhyme was played on a surdo drum, the house lights were dimmed and our performers were illuminated by LED balloons to create an eerie mood.

During the afternoon everyone sang numbers such as the Motown classic ‘Ain’t No Mountain’, and Emeli Sande’s ‘Mountains’ (with solos by Ollie G, Tyler K and Josh K). Everyone was seated in the luxurious cinema seats, accompanied by a live band on stage which comprised of inspirational BlueJam musicians from Trinity School, Kirkby Stephen Grammar, Ullswater Community College, Beaconside and Temple Sowerby.  Members of Penrith Music Centre Children’s Orchestra (CHORCH) also performed.

A highlight of the afternoon was the opportunity to see the specially commissioned short film by Richie Johnstone with a sound track by Ella Jarman-Pinto on the huge IMAX screen, based on stone circles Meg and her Daughters and Cockpit. The whole audience were involved in creating a live soundtrack of vocal effects, directed by Ella as they watch the film.

Once again Jilly Jarman, the Transition Choir Music Director, led a super finale to an excellent year of music making.  Special thanks to everyone involved, especially Jilly and the team, Rheged and all participating schools. The project is subsidised by Cumbria Music Hub.

Well done to North Lakes Choir, you were great ambassadors!