Exeter School changes lives with 15th WaterAid concert

For the 15th year running and with support from South West Water and Ashfords Solicitors, the talented young musicians and singers from Exeter School will perform a special concert to raise funds for international charity WaterAid. 

All proceeds from the concert, which takes place at St Michael's Church, Heavitree, from 7:30pm on Tuesday 26 April, will go directly to WaterAid projects in Zambia, helping some of the country's poorest communities gain access to clean water and safe sanitation.

The concert will feature school ensembles including Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Jazz Band 1 and Belles Canto and music by composers including Vaughan Williams, Purcell, Bacharach and Arlen. Pupils ranging in age from 11 up to 18 will be making music in the event, with around 150 pupils involved altogether.

Highlights include Sibelius' Finlandia and movements from Elgar's Cello Concert, performed by the Symphony Orchestra, as well as Haydn's Symphony 101 (Clock) and Prokofiev's Classical Symphony by the Chamber Orchestra. The Chamber Choir will sing Purcell's Hear my Prayer, O Lord, Rachmaninov's Ave Maria (from the Vespers) and Palestrina's Sicut Cervus.

Kerry Deacon, WaterAid Officer based at South West Water, said: "Around 315,000 children under-five die every year from diarrhoreal diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation. That's 900 children per day. Across the world, women are forced to waste precious time walking long distances to collect dirty water and girls are dropping out of school because there are no private toilets.

"Exeter School is helping change all that and we're incredibly grateful for their ongoing support through this fantastic event. Over the past 15 years the school concert has raised thousands of pounds which is making a real and lasting difference. Safe water and sanitation is vital - it prevents the spread of disease and enables children to have an education. Through the music and talent of its students Exeter School is helping transform lives."

Peter Tamblyn, the Director of Music at Exeter School: "We are delighted to be able to put on our 15th annual concert raising funds for WaterAid, and are excited to be performing in St. Michael's Church, Heavitree for the first time. 

"As well as a lovely acoustic, the church has the added benefit of being within walking distance of school for rehearsals meaning we have not needed to book coaches and so more money can go to the charity."

Tickets are available at the door or online from Exeter School's Box Office at www.exeterschool.org.uk/box-office  (tel: 01392 258712).

Seats are priced at £7, with a concessionary price of £5 for children and students.

For information about WaterAid's work in Zambia, please visit www.wateraid.org.