School children in Knowsley have performed a spectacular concert in celebration of Knowsley’s year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture.
In honour of the borough’s special year, pupils from schools across Knowsley have helped to compose a song for Knowsley entitled ‘The Place We Call Home’ which was performed for the very first time at the Music and Performing Arts Service (MAPAS) Knowsley Music Hub concert at Lord Derby Academy.
WATCH ‘THE PLACE WE CALL HOME’
Choirs from eight Knowsley schools and an orchestra comprised of current and former MAPAS musicians – some of whom were in the orchestra in the 1980s -gave an amazing first performance of ‘The Place We Call Home’.
Renowned composer Andy Smith, who has worked with The Halle Orchestra, 20th Century Fox, The BBC and Manchester Camerata to name but a few, led workshops with 13 primary schools across the borough as well as Alt Bridge School and Lord Derby Academy, to create the lyrics, melodies and instrumental sections of the song.
The fabulous concert marked the culmination of months of work which have gone in to creating this unique song as well as the many hours of practice and rehearsals of all the performances staged.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said:
“What a wonderful concert! I’m so proud of each and every one of our children and young people who played a part in the spectacular event.
“It was an evening to lift everyone’s spirits with vocalists from schools across the borough, talented musicians of all ages and the first performance of our song for Knowsley, composed with the help of so many of our primary school pupils – simply fabulous!
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, added:
“It was an amazing show! Every performance was outstanding! I never cease to be amazed by the extraordinary talents of our children and young people.
“’The Place We Call Home’ really is a song for Knowsley; composed and beautifully performed by so many Knowsley children and young people. I’m extremely proud of all those who have been involved and of everyone who performed at the concert.”
Knowsley MAPAS have always held regular concerts, but this was the first large scale event since Christmas 2019 and it was fitting that the return took place during Knowsley’s year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture.
View a gallery from the event here:
