Drumming for Peace

4th March 2018 | 0 comments

We are looking for drummers who play regularly – either by ear or who read music. All age groups and genders are welcome. They will have to be available for at least two full days for training and rehearsals – possibly 12 & 13 April. Performances will be during the week of 16th April when the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) takes place. We are awaiting for the final programme of events for that week to finalise our performance dates.

We are looking for approximately 60 drummers. There are 52 Commonwealth countries and we will have 8 reserve drummers. We shall expect all 60 performers (including the 8 reserve drummers) to play at all events. We would like drummers to wear a traditional costume or bandanas denoting the colours of a Commonwealth country. There is still a lot of planning and thinking going on about how we will conduct this event. Rotary Clubs to note that we are looking for volunteers and there are no funds to reimburse for time off from work or travel.

If Rotary Clubs have drummers in mind – then please put together a list with their profiles and note down if they would be happy to represent any particular Commonwealth country. The list will be forwarded to the organisers who will shortlist and conduct the auditions and training for these events.

If you are interested please contact Sree Vallipuram using the form below:

[contact-form-7 id=”1288″ title=”Commonwealth Resounds – Drumming for Peace”]

The Commonwealth Resounds is delighted to welcome Geoff Parkin, Director of Arts at the Royal Over-Seas League as our new Patron

The Commonwealth Resounds is delighted to welcome Geoff Parkin, Director of Arts at the Royal Over-Seas League as our new Patron

23rd October 2017 | 0 comments

Geoff Parkin is Director of Arts at the Royal Over-Seas League, holding responsibility for running their renowned Annual Music Competition, programming concerts, exhibitions and talks, as well as providing opportunities for young musicians, visual artists and writers from all corners of the Commonwealth. He previously ran the chamber music programme at the Royal College of Music and has also worked for Young Classical Artists Trust, Royal Academy of Music and Royal Northern College of Music.

Geoff studied at the Royal Northern College of Music graduating with both a PGDip and a Masters in clarinet performance. His took his undergraduate degree in music at the University of Birmingham. He has performed with orchestras including Orchestra of Opera North, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Manchester Camerata and Northern Ballet Sinfonia and remains a keen performer of both orchestral and chamber music in his spare time.

We are delighted that Geoff has agreed to support the Commonwealth Resounds as our patron and look forward to continuing our close partnership and friendship with the Royal Over-Seas League.