Villagers in Orwell and Barrington are set to take part in a 24-hour music marathon to raise funds for a cancer charity.
The bumper event next month in aid of the Cambridge Cancer Help Centre. will start at the village schools before spreading out to sites including the parish churches, Orwell Village Hall and the Royal Oak pub in Barrington.
The schedule has been carefully thought out by Jacquie McBride and her fellow organisers.
Jacquie, who has directed the Orwell Singers since 2014, said: “ I have worked with musicians of all ages and have seen at first-hand the huge benefits of taking part in music-making, and particularly singing.
“Many of my choir members say they feel so much better after a good sing, and it certainly builds confidence and a positive mental attitude.
“This can be particularly true for people struggling with an illness, which is why I decided to bring many musicians together both to celebrate music but also to raise as much as possible for the Cambridge Cancer Help Centre.
“The centre provides vital support and services to cancer patients, their carers and families. Having taken some singing sessions at the centre I have seen how important it is to the people who visit, so was very keen to do all I could to help.”
The there is a wide scope of genres and styles being heard over the 24 hours, something which Jacquie said was because they want to appeal to everyone.
“It’s about seeing so many people come together to enjoy music,” Jacquie said.
Many musicians have come forward to offer their time, from school children just starting to learn their instruments put to highly-skilled performers. There are soloists, including cellist Graham Walker who plays around the world, and larger groups including choirs and the Eversden Brass Band - a community band which encompasses all ages of brass players.
The final hour will be held at the Royal Oak pub in Barrington, with a hog roast and folk rock band CarnaC.
“I am fully expecting to be awake throughout the 24 hours,” Jacquie said.
“I will be conducting and accompanying quite a lot of the time, and will be on hand at other times doing whatever needs doing. In the middle of the night it might well be up to me to keep the music going! Members of the Orwell singers will also be working hard to help with shifts, serve refreshments, sell raffle tickets.
The marathon will culminate in a raffle draw and a sealed bid auction for two special prizes. The first is a visit for two to the House of Lords with lunch in the Peers’ Dining Room and a short tour with Baroness Brown of Cambridge, and the second is a flight in a high performance two-seater aircraft.
Bids for the auction can be sent to 2017musicmarathon@gmail.com
For more on the Orwell 24-hour Music Marathon, which starts Friday, June 23 to go www.justgiving.com/fundraising/24hourMarathonMusic
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here