Lighthouse Poole’s resident choir, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, is joining voices with Bath Minerva Choir to present a gala concert on Saturday 11 July supporting the life-saving work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
In the 25th anniversary year of RNLI Lifeguards, the concert celebrates the sea in all its varied forms, from Britten’s Four Sea Interludes to Vaughan Williams’s epic and magnificent A Sea Symphony with the world première of Paul Carr’s setting of the RNLI Lifeboat Prayer, Beacon of Hope.
The massed forces of the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Bath Minerva Choir will be joined by the huge Salomon Orchestra, and notable soloists Sophie Bevan MBE and Gareth Brynmor John, under the baton of the ever-charismatic Gavin Carr.
Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, as choir in residence at Lighthouse, felt it only right that in Poole, the home of RNLI Headquarters, there should be a celebration marking the Lifeguards’ anniversary and raising funds in support of the life-saving work of RNLI. This community, with its stunning beaches, spectacular harbour and seafaring history, owes a debt to the bravery and dedication of all those who risk their lives to save the lives of strangers.
Paul Carr, composer of Beacon of Hope, says: “These are real people who have other jobs, other interests in life, and they all come together to work for the RNLI. It’s the men and the women on those boats that are, at that moment in time, the beacon of hope.”
Conductor Gavin Carr, on A Sea Symphony, adds: “It’s such beautiful, mellifluous music; even if they’ve never heard of Vaughan Williams, that piece would thrill anyone from a five-year-old to a 105-year-old.”
Jayne George, RNLI Chief Fundraising Officer, writes: “RNLI Lifeguards have helped millions of people and saved over 2,000 lives. And if that’s not worth striking up the band for, I don’t know what is!”
Tickets available now at A Sea Symphony – Lighthouse and on 01202 280000.
Photo credit: RNLI/Nigel Millard
