100 Musicians and Singers will gather on the banks of the Fal River at the King Harry Ferry, to perform a new “Dawn Chorus” commissioned for HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations at 8:00am on Saturday 4 th June.
This free event is open to everyone to come along and listen to new musical work written for brass instruments and voices by Cornish composer Gareth Churcher (Head of Cornwall Music Service Trust). Cornets and Trombones will echo across the river. The premiere will bring together singers and players of all ages and will be led by ‘St Keverne Brass Band’ and Truro’s own ‘Three Spires Singers’ along with Cornwall Youth Brass Ensemble and Cornwall Youth Chamber Orchestra to celebrate the occasion from the deck of the King Harry Ferry.
The composer, Gareth Churcher said: “It’s wonderful to get a commission to write something new for a joyful celebration of Her Majesty’s service since her accession in 1952, particularly as we have such a wonderful tradition of Cornish brass playing and choirs singing”.
The King Harry Ferry, the Choir and the Band celebrated The Queen’s 90 th Birthday with a Fanfare for Her Majesty in 2016, also composed by Gareth Churcher. This time, we are celebrating with both voices and instruments in a more ambitious musical endeavour with a Dawn Chorus.
Lora Wicks of Three Spires Singers said: “Our choir had such fun when we rolled up at dawn fanfare back in 2016, so we can’t wait for a rematch on the Ferry in 2022 with the new Dawn Chorus - we are looking forward to the bacon butties to get us in good voice”.
Garrick Royle of the King Harry Ferry said: “We like to think of the ferry as the clanking heart of our community up and down the river, and it’s magical to pause for one morning to celebrate with something new for Her Majesty as well as the traditional Cornish take”.
As well as the festivities on land and on the King Harry Ferry, watercraft of all kinds are being invited along to form a flotilla led by the Fal River Cornwall ferries fleet at the end of chorus to mark the occasion with a special ‘sail by’.
Toby Floyer of Fal River Cornwall said “We’ve got our fleet in sparkling new paintwork for all locals to enjoy before the summer rush. We’re putting out the flags and bunting and have a surprise in store this year for the sail by”.
Although admission is free, a collection will be made for the Cornish Music Therapy Charity, and all will be invited to sing-a-long Trelawny and a couple of other usual favourites. The event will be live streamed and Page 1 of 2 watchable all over the world to our many followers on the King Harry Ferry Facebook page, more information will be available at falriver.co.uk/jubilee
Performing will be one of Cornwall’s premier brass bands the St Keverne Brass Band under band leader Carl Long, Cornwall Youth Chamber Choir directed by Christine Judge, Cornwall Youth Brass Ensemble director Sarah Munns and the Ladies and Gentlemen of Three Spires Singers.
The event has been made possible by an Award from the Arts Council of England Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Fund for the commission and performance and the goodwill of many local volunteers.
