23rd August 2019 |
We are excited that our Ensemble in Association, the Dionysus Ensemble, is looking forward to a tour to the Solomon Islands. The group is looking forward to working with a number of organisations on the islands including the Piano Association of Solomon Islands (PASI) and several local teachers to share their international experience and provide world class performances. The group has a number of ideas which they hope to bring to fruition. Including, the formation of a National Youth Orchestra, supporting teaching around the Islands, presenting their world class performances to the community and passing on the love and joy of music to the next generation! The Islands are already preparing for their visit and newspapers have featured the group and some of their exciting plans. If you would like to support the Dionysus Ensemble’s tour to the Solomon Islands, click here. 
23rd August 2019
On Tuesday May 14th, Alison Cox OBE, TCR’s Founder and Chair of Trustees was invited to the Houses of Parliament by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, UK to speak about Creativity in the Commonwealth, along with Mr Gee the Poet and Daniel Hatton from the Commonwealth Fashion Council.
Alison spoke about the importance of musical creativity, and the impact this can have upon musicians and their livelihoods. She mentioned the Commonwealth International Composition Award (TCR’s latest, high-profile project) and also some of the other projects we have run for CHOGM in previous years; for example, the Commonwealth Pianorama (53 short piano pieces from all over the Commonwealth, performed in Trinidad, London and Edinburgh in 2009/10) and Panorpheus (53 flute-harp pieces created for CHOGM 2015 in Malta).
The Commonwealth Resounds also organised some imaginative cultural entertainment for the Parliamentary Association . A spectacular Commonwealth juggler, Emmanuael the Magnificent, juggled with bowls, spinning plates, skittles and even with Parliamentary chairs! Emmanuel’s performance was enhanced by young jazz musicians from The Purcell School who created improvisations to accompany the performance.
23rd August 2019 |
The Commonwealth Resounds was thrilled to be be shortlisted for the Charity Governance Awards 2019. Organised by the Clothworkers Company, the Charity Governance Awards have been presented regularly since 2016 and have helped celebrate and support the great work of many charities since then.
The Commonwealth Resounds has been shortlisted following a fantastic year of events and projects, including performing for the Royal Family and the creation of a brand new, unique, International Composition Award.
The Charity Governance Awards is an exciting not-for-profit initiative created to celebrate outstanding governance in charities both small and large. There are seven categories covering every kind of charitable organisation. Entries are accepted between October and January each year. The Shortlist is announced at the beginning of April, and shortlisted charities are invited to an exclusive Awards Ceremony and Reception in May where the winners will be announced. The winning charity in each category will receive £5,000.
We would like to wish all the charities shortlisted for this award the very best of luck and will keep you updated here!
23rd August 2019 |
On Wednesday 19th September, The Commonwealth Resounds (TCR) was very happy to help celebrate the launch of the Commonwealth Innovation Awards at Marlborough House.
A brilliant young Commonwealth violinist called Litsa Tunnah performed two pieces with cultural connections to Sierra Leone, Africa and Australia. Litsa’s musicianship and skill was dazzling, and she received warm accolades from a number of the High Commissioners, Delegates and Commonwealth representatives present.
Baroness Scotland, The Commonwealth Secretary-General spoke glowingly about Litsa’s performance and TCR before she officially launched the Commonwealth Innovation Awards.
22nd August 2019 |
On Thursday June 28th, The Commonwealth Resounds (TCR) was very proud to welcome the National Youth Choir of Antigua and Barbuda to Hertfordshire. Alison Cox, TCR’s Founder and Chair of Trustees worked closely with Karen-Mae Hill, The High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda whose amazing fundraising efforts enabled the choir to visit the UK in 2018.
As part of their programme, the National Youth Choir visited primary and secondary schools in Hertfordshire who had raised funds for Antigua and Barbuda as part of TCR’s Commonwealth Hurricane Support Concert Programme.
Firstly, they visited the Bushey Academy, who are donating the proceeds of their annual House Music Festival to Antigua and Barbuda. The young people at Bushey greatly enjoyed the choir’s performance!
The second concert took place at the Purcell School, who performed as part of CHOGM 2018 and raised funds for the Hurricane Appeal from two spectacular Commonwealth concerts in St James’s Church, Piccadilly and St George’s, Hanover Square. The choir gave a brilliant lunchtime concert, and then met young people from the Purcell School who will be coming to help with musical projects in Antigua and Barbuda in February 2019. Lots of new friendships were formed over lunch!
The final concert was at Bowmansgreen Primary School whose magnificent fundraising efforts were greatly appreciated by the High Commissioner and the choir members. The children sang a special song written by a 16-year-old composer called Elissa Street about Hurricane Irma. Everyone loved the song.
At the end of each concert, the High Commissioner thanked everyone warmly and invited us all to come and visit Antigua and Barbuda!
