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The youngest ever group of singers will take to the stage for the first time at this September's Hannells Darley Park Concert as part of the event's commitment to showcasing local talent.

The Darley Abbey Choir is made up of 36 primary school children aged six to 12 from two neighbouring schools - the Old Vicarage School and Walter Evans Church of England Aided Primary School.

They have been busy rehearsing a programme of four songs which they will then perform ahead of the main concert on Sunday September 2 which this year has a theme of Peace, Hope and Reconciliation – ahead of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Their performance will start with 'Imagine' by John Lennon which they will sign as well as sing.
This will be followed by the toe-tapping 'The Rhythm of Life' from the musical 'Sweet Charity' and Simon and Garfunkel's classic 'Bridge over Troubled Water'.

The final piece is the 'Darley Abbey Anthem' which has been written by local freelance musician Anne de Waal who has worked with the children and staff at both schools to bring together the choir for The Hannells Darley Park Concert.

Anne explained: "I wrote the song about five years ago when both schools came together to sing at the Darley Abbey Day and which the children have continued to perform in the village.

"It will be wonderful to share the Darley Abbey Anthem with this wider audience and I do hope they enjoy it as much as we all do.

"The anthem celebrates all that is wonderful about the community in Darley Abbey and fits in perfectly with our whole programme which reflects the theme of this year's concert as they are all uplifting and full of hope.

"Bringing together this year's Darley Abbey Choir has been a tremendous team effort across both schools and the children are very much looking forward to performing in front of so many people."

Sinfonia Viva – the East Midlands only professional orchestra which is based in Derby – will perform again at The Hannells Darley Park Concert and are supported by Rolls-Royce plc.

Warrick Matthews is the company's Executive Vice President – Control System and a Board member with Sinfonia Viva.

He said: "Rolls-Royce is a long-term supporter of Sinfonia Viva and the Darley Park Concert is an important part of the Orchestra's annual programme.

"Viva, working alongside DerbyLIVE, lead on the artistic element of the concert. As part of their work to develop an exciting programme of high quality classical music, they are committed to providing a platform for local artistic talent. It will be wonderful to see this young choir on stage this September. Rolls-Royce is delighted to be able to facilitate this work."

The Hannells Darley Park Concert will take place at Darley Park on Sunday 2 September from 6pm, with gates open from 2pm.

Sinfonia Viva will begin with the first movement from Beethoven's 'Fifth Symphony', which was used for the opening credits of some broadcasts during the Second World War.

The theme will continue with 'Lile Marlene' by German composer Norbert Schultze.  This famous piece about the anguish of war, based on a First World War poem, was originally banned in Nazi Germany but became popular with troops on both sides of the Second World War.

Along with the classical pieces, the programme will feature popular cultural music around the theme of peace including 'All You Need is Love' and 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing'.

The Hannells Darley Park concert is supported by Flint Bishop Solicitors, HUUB, Invictus Communications, Mortgage Advice Bureau, PKF Cooper Parry, Redrow Homes and Stratstone BMW Derby.

Tickets bought before 31 Jul 2018 cost £3.50 and Under 16s FREE with a ticket. Tickets bought from 1 Aug until the day before the concert are priced £5, Under 16s £2.50. Tickets bought on the day of the concert are priced £7.50, Under 16s £2.50. Tickets can be purchased from 01332 255800, online at derbylive.co.uk, or be booked in person at the Sales and Information Centre, Assembly Rooms, Market Place, Derby.