Annual Fundraising Classical Concert June 2023

In support of the Edna Manley School of Art

This year we acknowledged 75 years of the Windrush generation with songs from home. The concert is the first live concert since COVID, and had a varied programme.

Fundraising for the Edna Manley School of Art

Funds raised from the performance are donated to the Outreach Programme of the Edna Manley School of Art. The programme is aimed at young people who would not otherwise be able to afford the tuition fees of the school.  In addition to tuition fees, the funds help the school provide musical instruments and travel expenses. All the teachers give their time free, and pupils who excel in their chosen field are given a bursary.  Ex-pupils are encouraged to help new pupils as a way of paying back to the school. Sir Willard White is the patron of the programme.

Leighton House Museum, Kensington

The concert took place at Leighton House Museum, Kensington, a fully functioning museum with a beautiful, intimate concert hall at the top of the building. It has been a regular venue for our concerts for many years. It is the former home and studio of the leading Victorian artist, Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830–1896). It is unique among London’s museums in combining an exceptional collection of Victorian art with the intimacy of a private home. The highlight of any visit is the extraordinary Arab Hall, which reflects Leighton’s fascination with the Middle East.

This year’s performers

The performers will perform pieces from composers including – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Hall Johnson, Puccini, Leonard Bernstein, Rachmaninov, Schubert and Mozart to name a few.

Classical VYBeS Vocal Ensemble	Olive Murray Soprano	Josh Davis Piano
Dmitri van Zwanenberg Violin	Jakob Rothoff Accompanist	Yvonne Davis Soprano

Videos of the performances