The Green Children – A Musical Event and The Gelächter Wind Trio
With grateful thanks to our sponsors Paul & Francoise Findlay
Composed by Andrew Wilson; performed by the children of Woolpit School and the Gelächter Wind Trio with Andrew Wilson, piano. The Green Children of Woolpit has been specially commissioned from the composer for this year’s festival. A musical entertainment in one act, it is based on an incident said to have happened in the village around. 1220 and recorded by the chronicler Ralph of Coggeshall. According to the legend two green-skinned children inexplicably appeared in the village, unable to speak English or give any account of themselves. There are 6 speaking parts for children, 4 silent actors and a villagers’ chorus, accompanied by oboe, clarinet, bassoon and piano. Andrew Wilson – composer Andrew Wilson, born in Bedfordshire, was awarded a junior Exhibition to Trinity College of Music, London, before proceeding to study music at Royal Holloway College. There his teachers included Brian Dennis for composition and Martin Neary for organ. Andrew has taught music at a number of distinguished schools and was Director of Music at Kelly College, Tavistock for 22 years. There he conducted the Kelly Choral Society and the Plymouth-based South West Chamber Choir. In 2015 he was appointed Director of Studies at the National College of Music, London. Andrew is also a busy church organist and composer and has won numerous awards for his work. He has been working closely with Helen Lyons, music teacher at Woolpit School and will be assisting in the preparation for the performance.
The Gelächter Wind Trio
The trio was founded by friends at the Royal College of Music in 2009. ‘Gelächter’, German for’ laughter’ relates to the fun they have rehearsing. The group trained under Martin Gatt, former principal bassoon of The London Symphony Orchestra. In 2010 they were awarded the June Emerson Launchpad Prize. Gelächter made their debut at St-Martin-in-the Fields while still studying at the RCM and received generous grants from The Britten-Pears Foundation, The Fenton Arts Trust and The RVW Trust. The trio are passionate about musical education and lead workshops in many schools throughout the UK. They also work for Classical Babies providing interactive recitals for mothers and toddlers. In October 2014 they gave a chamber music master class at Leeds College of Music and performed the world premieres of Dovetail (Timothy Salter) and Dark Gravity (Mark Yeats). They continue to have a diverse concert diary playing at many music societies in the UK, performing for corporate events and weddings and providing educational performances.