the proms

Description

'Live recording produced by Mark Cunningham and mixed by Jon Webber.' On Friday, 6th of July, the air of Southend was filled with the sound of 2000 choristers, aged from seven to 80 years, singing a specially-commissioned piece of music by internationally acclaimed composer, Tolga Kashif, as the Olympic Torch reached the sea. Kashif, who has collaborated in the past with rock band Queen, has been described by Brian May as 'someone with a unique view and a new dream'. The choir stretched to 83 metres in length and was arranged on a stage, seven tiers high, set against the stunning backdrop of the sea and Southend's world famous pier. As the Torch arrived at the City Beach the choir burst into song. The piece of music, titled Anthem: Let Your Light Shine is a rousing, epic work that draws on many different music genres, rhythms and styles to represent a global message. It was developed in response to the open-air setting, the sea and the large number of singers taking part. It has been written to allow for participation from a wide range of ages and abilities. The refrain has been written to encourage as much audience participation as possible and the organisers are hoping all audience members will be moved to join in. After all, music and singing has long been one of Southend's cultural strengths. The town boasts some outstanding musical talent in a number of genres including Benjamin Grosvenor (the youngest pianist to play at the proms) Southend Girls and Boys Choirs, Lee Mead, Wilko Johnson and The Horrors among many others. Music accompaniment for the work has been provided by Black Dyke Band, the world's most famous brass band who have been playing for over 150 years. The Black Dyke Band have made over 350 recordings with such diverse musicians and conductors as former Prime Minister Edward Heath, Paul McCartney, Tori Amos and the Beautiful South. They also played on the Beatles hit record 'Yellow Submarine'. This ambitious idea, conceived and developed by Metal, forms part of a wider programme of activity programmed by SoSBC to celebrate the torch visit. It follows Metal's previous, successful mass-participatory cultural projects in the town, including: breaking the Guinness World record for the Longest Line of Bunting in 2009 (9000 flags were made by the people of Southend) and a visual arts project, Thames to Tama in 2011 that saw 4665 school pupils create one large installation in celebration of the 15th Century explorer and adventurer, William Adams. Metal's Managing Director, Colette Bailey said: 'This has been our biggest and most exciting project to date. Bringing together 2000 singers is not without its logistical and musical challenges, but the power of the human voice singing collectively and the unique, once-in-a-lifetime moment when the torch comes to our town will make the event a magical and uplifting experience for both those who take part and those watching.' Derek Jarvis, Southend's portfolio holder for culture said: 'The sight and sound of nearly 2000 choristers singing on the Southend seafront to welcome the Olympic Torch will be truly inspirational. We will be doing all we can to make sure that everyone in the town will remember July 6th, 2012, for the rest of their lives.' Southend's Anthem has been granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Anthem has been organised by Metal in partnership with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (SoSBC), Southend Education Trust (SET) and Arts Council England (ACE). This film was directed and produced by Mark McCarthy of Sparky Media Productions Ltd