Celebration Concert Success
“We couldn’t have done it without you”, that was the conclusion of Jo Wilson-Hunt, the Polden Bower School teacher and compere of the annual concert celebrating the musical achievements of children with special needs.
Taunton Vale Rotary has been supporting this event in various ways for more than 25 years. Initially it just catered for children in the immediate Taunton area but now also takes in Bridgwater and surroundings. This year’s musical celebration involved pupils from both Polden Bower and Selworthy Schools.
The concerts show case the children’s achievements and, thanks to Rotary hiring the McMillan Theatre in Bridgwater, offer them the rare opportunity to perform at a professional theatre in front of a live audience.
The Bower Riverside Choir opened the show with numbers from Starlight Express, then there were two vocal duets. A guitar duet followed, in which a student improvised amazing bass guitar music, while his teacher played the acoustic guitar.
One of the highlights was the Polden Junior Orchestra who performed two items on the spectacular Japanese Taiko Wadaiko drums. Simon Roberts, a teacher from Selworthy School did an exhausting and humorous one-man rendition of “It’s a Wonderful World”, complete with props for the students in the audience and his students on video projected on to the back wall of the stage. (Clashes with the exam schedule unfortunately meant that some students were unable to attend the theatre in person.)
Rotarian Mike Botting, who co-ordinates the Club side of the event says: “The students put on a brilliant concert, with music ranging from pop to musical theatre. The excitement which the students obviously gained from the whole experience was a joy to see.”
On behalf of all those involved Jo publicly announced her heartfelt thanks to Taunton Vale Rotarians and said the concert could not have gone ahead without their support.
Taunton Vale Rotary Club backs a number of events and activities for children with special needs - “our Special Children”, including - Rotary Children’s Fun Day (Kids Out) as well as financial and practical support for Taunton Opportunity Group – Taunton’s pre-school for children with special needs.
(We hope to show you more pictures from this event soon but we await parental permission to feature some of the children.)