The Gambia Academy Celebrates 'Sumer'
A beautiful new performance from The Gambia Academy has brought English and Gambian musical traditions together in a heartfelt tribute to Alison Cox, Founder and Trustee of The Commonwealth Resounds, following her retirement from The Purcell School for Young Musicians after an extraordinary 38 years.During her final week at the Purcell School, Alison led a special project entitled Sumer, bringing together 37 alumni composers. Each was invited to create a variation on the famous 13th-century English round, or rota, Sumer is icumen in. Among the contributions was a remarkable video from Alison’s former composition student, Sona Jobarteh, performed by the talented young musicians and dancers of The Gambia Academy.
“I was thrilled, touched and deeply honoured to receive this beautiful video from Sona and the wonderful young musicians and dancers at her extraordinary school. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful tribute, Sona. I am sharing it so that all our friends and followers can enjoy it and be inspired.
“With much love from me personally, and from everyone at The Commonwealth Resounds.”
Sona Jobarteh is an internationally celebrated musician, composer and educator, as well as one of the world’s only professional female kora players. Through her groundbreaking work at The Gambia Academy, she is developing a new model of education that combines high-level musical training with academic learning, life skills and entrepreneurship.
The Academy’s interpretation of Sumer is icumen in reimagines the traditional English round through Gambian music and dance. The opening retains the familiar cuckoo refrain, accompanied by newly choreographed movements inspired by the flight and behaviour of birds. This celebrates The Gambia’s extraordinarily rich birdlife, for which the country is internationally renowned.
The performance then moves into a traditional Gambian bird song based on the Pra bird, whose distinctive call gives the song its name. Both the music and choreography draw upon the bird’s movements and seasonal behaviour, creating a dialogue between two musical traditions connected through nature.
Featuring kora, balafon, djembe and dundun, the arrangement celebrates the meeting of English and Gambian musical heritage through the creativity and energy of a new generation.
We are delighted to share this deeply moving tribute and hope that our friends and supporters will enjoy the accompanying video.