More than 250 performers – the majority under the age of 18 – took to the stage in Worthing last night for a powerful and moving performance of The Water Diviner’s Tale, a rarely staged work by Academy Award-winning West Sussex composer Rachel Portman OBE.
The oratorio, which explores the urgent issue of climate change, was narrated by Elinor Moran and conducted by Adam Barker. It featured five young professional soloists – Lori Grainger, Eve Maxwell, Kristian Thorkildsen, Henry Godwin and Freddie Crowley – alongside West Sussex Youth Orchestra, West Sussex Youth Choirs, Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, and choirs from Felpham Community College, Handcross Primary School, Midhurst Rother College, Storrington Primary School, The Regis School and The Southwater Junior Academy.
Written in 2007 by Rachel Portman in collaboration with poet and novelist Owen Sheers, The Water Diviner’s Tale tells a compelling and thought-provoking story about the impact of climate change on the world. This compelling story for massed children’s choir, youth voices, soloists and orchestra was originally commissioned for the BBC Proms.
Preparations for the concert began in January, with schools, youth choirs, and orchestra rehearsing independently before coming together for the first time on the day of the performance. The event marked the culmination of months of planning and collaboration between schools, arts organisations and music leaders across the county.
John Randall, Music Centres Manager, who led the event planning, said:
“Bringing together so many young people to perform a work of this scale has been an incredible achievement. From the very beginning, we wanted to create something ambitious and meaningful – both musically and thematically. The Water Diviner’s Tale offered the perfect opportunity, a powerful piece of music, a vital message about climate change, and the chance for our young musicians to work alongside emerging professional artists. The dedication and enthusiasm shown by everyone involved has been truly inspiring.”
The idea for the concert was first proposed nearly a year ago, with the aim of uniting West Sussex Music’s youth ensembles, school choirs and partner organisations in a large-scale creative performance. The Water Diviner’s Tale was chosen not only for its musical richness and relevance, but also for the opportunity it offered young performers to engage with the work of a living, locally connected composer.
In a special surprise for the performers, the piece’s composer Rachel Portman came to the concert and enjoyed the show, she said: “What an incredible inspiring musical event last night in Worthing. 250 young singers sang so brilliantly together with the fantastic West Sussex Youth Orchestra and Choir! So moving to see them all coming together singing their hearts out, making music for climate change.”
For more information about West Sussex Music and the singing opportunities on offer to young people, go here.
