The Music Well summer concert has become a bit of a tradition in our town of Rye. It is a chance for Rye-based Music Well CIC to showcase its singing and music-making talent. And last Sunday, the audience at Rye Creative Centre had a rare treat.
Marian Ham, who leads the Music Well’s children’s singing group, has a passion for singing and encouraging young talent. The enthusiasm and joy of the children was evident to see and hear as they sung their songs, ably accompanied by Alena Eksteen on piano, with gusto.
Dave Kent has done wonders with the Music Well Fun Band. The group started last September as a brainchild of Nick Ingham and was taken over in November by Dave. The group is truly intergenerational with the youngest members in their teens and the oldest in their 70s.
As their name suggests, they played with entertainment in mind, not just for the audience but for themselves. One band member, who is in the upper age range of the group, revealed that this concert was the very first time he had played his keyboard in public. The concert gave a great feeling of contentment and pride for all the Fun Band’s members!
Dave Kent has also become the leader of the Music Well’s adult singing group and, as with all its previous leaders, he has put his own stamp upon the group. His guitar playing adds a subtlety to the group’s vocals. The members of the group carefully selected their favourite songs that they hoped would please the audience for the concert.
The audience was forgiving of the small technical glitches and applauded with rapture. And while the clash with the men’s final at Wimbledon kept some tennis fans away nevertheless the parents, grandparents and friends of those taking part in the concert wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
The children’s repertoire included compositions written especially for them by Nick Ingham and Bill Laity. Their Good Today and The Vanishing Song have already become firm favourites but have not surpassed the Music Well anthem Singing in the hearts of the singers. Singing brought the afternoon’s concert to a happy close, with the adults and children singing together.
Lindsay McHale, the Music Well CIC’s CEO, thanked all those who had taken part and presented flowers. The mayor of Rye, Andy Stuart, said a few words about the stunning concert. He cut an unlikely pose with his mayoral chain and England three lions t-shirt. He likened the three participating elements – the children’s singing group, the adult singing group and the Fun bank – to the three lions on the iconic England shirt.
This wasn’t the only reference to the scheduled final of the Euros as Marian had been teaching the children a special football song that they sang with vigour and absolute enjoyment. Such joy and enthusiasm raise the spirits, and everyone left, after consuming many home-made cakes, feeling better after attending such a joyous occasion.
All the singing groups and Fun Band are open to all and The Music Well is always eager to welcome new members. Have a look at our website for further details for times and venues for the groups.
Don’t worry if you missed out on Sunday as the Music Well CIC is holding its annual fund-raising open garden this Saturday July 20 from noon – 4pm at Little Orchard House in West Street, Rye.
The entrance fee is only £3 which will buy you entry to an afternoon of entertainment and music, and there will be a drumming circle so that you an join in too. There will also be drinks and food to purchase.
Please join us! You won’t regret it!
Image Credits: Claire Bayntum , Kt bruce , Claire Bayntun .