PW_4_2021

Cultural Corner

A Week of Music and Friendship,

in the beautiful City of Bath from 21st to 28th August 2022 Have you ever heard of a residential music week for emergency workers? No, well neither had Seb Valentine, a detective from Surrey Police, so he decided to team up

with the IPA and organise one. B efore Seb became a cop , he was a based college ranks second in the world, and top in the UK and Europe for performing arts. Seb has already founded the Blue Light Symphony Orchestra (BLSO), a charity promoting wellbeing in the emergency services through music. He is also conducting research into the use of Music Therapy to treat PTSD, stress and anxiety in emergency workers. Through the BLSO, Seb has discovered many talented musicians in the emergency services who, because of their shift-work, cannot play in regular amateur orchestras. The BLSO has enabled many to enjoy the benefits that making music brings, with the added benefit of being in a group of people who shared similar traumatic experiences. freelance opera singer, who trained at the Royal College of Music. This London

Seb is teaming up with Sean Hannigan, IPA VP of culture and communications, himself a music graduate, to organise a Week of Music and Friendship, to be held in the beautiful City of Bath from 21st to 28th August 2022. IPA members are invited to spend an inspirational week in the picturesque surroundings of Bath Spa University’s Newton Park Campus, just four miles from the centre of Bath. If you are a Police Officer, or member of the wider Police family, who sings or plays an instrument, then this event is not to be missed. It is set to be the largest ever gathering of Police Officers for the purpose of making music. We will form the only orchestra, choir and jazz band of their kind anywhere in the world. You will spend the week forming lifelong friendships and developing existing ones, through making music, an activity proven to develop bonds between people better

than almost anything else. You will also have time to relax and immerse yourself in the history of Bath and the surrounding area. Bath itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers attractions such as the Roman Baths, Pulteney Bridge and the Jane Austen Museum, as well as an abundance of beautiful Georgian architecture. The musical focus for the week will be on three main ensembles: a full symphony orchestra, a choir and a jazz band. A team of professional musicians will direct and inspire you to produce the highest standard of music, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Each group will work towards a trio of exciting performances; an evensong service in Bath Abbey, a jazz evening at Walcot House and a final concert in the Forum, Bath’s largest concert venue. We are delighted that the internationally renowned cellist Raphael Wallfish, will join us to play a Concerto for the final concert in which everyone, either singing or playing, will perform Beethoven’s 9th Symphony Ode to Joy. You will also be encouraged to form smaller groups and take advantage of opportunities throughout the week to receive coaching from the music staff and perform for each other. The on-site bar will provide a perfect environment for relaxed evening soirees, as we all unwind. Breakfast and evening meals will be provided in the University restaurant and lunch can be purchased on site. A kitchen will also be available at your accommodation. As you may imagine, organising an event of this scale requires a lot of planning, and so to ensure we have enough interest to make it financially viable, please register your interest by filling in the form, which you can access at here: https://form. jotform.com/200426178724050 or by email from ipamusicweek@bluelightsymphony.org

POLICE WORLD Vol 66 No.4, 2021

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