This Is Guernsey

Phil Eyre and Mervyn Grand. (Picture Coast Media, 0556268)

THE soulful celebratory music of eastern European Jews is to be shared with audiences across the Channel Islands.

The first performance in the World Music Series is by the Klezmer Festival Band, which has been in international demand ever since its debut performance sold out in the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.

Through recordings, concerts and celebrations, Klezmer has reached people across the world and will tour the islands, giving performances to schoolchildren during the day and playing to the wider communities of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney and Sark in the evenings.

‘Their music is fun, it’s lively, it’s upbeat and it brings with it a flavour of traditional celebration in a Jewish community. Their enthusiastic performance is not to be missed and as they say, you cannot just play Klezmer, you have to live it,’ said Kirstin Simon, director of St James and organiser of the public concerts in Guernsey.

Their arrangements come straight from Russia and eastern Europe and contribute a contemporary element to the authentic up-tempo dance tunes. Master of the Klezmer clarinet and Russian gold medallist Gregori Schechter formed the band, gathering the very finest musicians to create a virtuoso ensemble.

Phil Eyre, local head of sponsor Collins Stewart Wealth Management said: ‘Klezmer is a high profile band from a genre of music we have little experience of in the islands. I’m very excited to be a part of bringing musical diversity to our stages and a widened understanding of cultural difference to our schoolchildren.’

This year the line-up is diverse, with performers from eastern Europe, Spain, Zimbabwe and Ireland set to bring a flavour from each of their distinct cultures to the Channel Islands.

Organised by the Channel Islands Music Council, the performers will tour Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney and Sark.

CIMC promotes both public and educational concerts for young people.

Mrs Simon said, ‘I think it’s really worthwhile for children and adults to experience different types of music. Exposure to different cultures brings an awareness of differing ideas and values and helps to broaden everyone’s understanding of the world.’

Every school in the islands will be invited to attend and Collins Stewart will be lending additional support to Education by donating a ‘world music box’ containing musical instruments from around the globe to each participating school as a reminder of their experiences.

Mervyn Grand, the chairman of CIMC and head of the Guernsey Schools’ Music Service said: ‘The council is delighted that Collins Stewart has agreed to sponsor World Music. This means that we are able to plan a wide variety of fascinating concerts for our audiences across the islands.’

Phil Eyre explained: ‘We were attracted to this project because it represents a wonderful opportunity for the community in terms of education and entertainment. It’s a fantastic programme and shows real cooperative spirit between all our neighbouring islands.’