好色小姨

好色小姨鈥檚 Dovecote Festival has taken music into the local community, celebrating the power of music and togetherness.

The annual festival kicked off at the school鈥檚 music studio, where people from across Yarm joined the local choir, Infant Hercules, to create a recording of the Bob Dylan classic, 鈥淔orever Young.鈥� The recording of the song chorus is the icing on the cake of a year-long project that has seen musician and teacher Mike McGrother, and Infant Hercules walk the Cleveland Way to raise awareness of men鈥檚 cancer.

The evening continued with 鈥楢 Shanty Stroll鈥� as friends, parents, and staff of Yarm accompanied Mike and Infant Hercules as they serenaded the town with sea shanties and song. The stroll began outside The Mockingbird Deli, before making its way to The Black Bull, and finishing at The Union Arms, drawing enthusiastic crowds at each stop.

Saturday鈥檚 highlight was the 鈥楳emento Juke Box鈥� at The Black Bull in Yarm. The family-friendly and dementia-inclusive event featured a sing-along session, moving pieces of music from Yarm pupils, and poems, stories and memories from local people who wanted to share and remember. Attendees enjoyed a variety of individual and group performances that brought music to the heart of the local community, offering a supportive environment for individuals affected by dementia.

The festival concluded on a high note with two memorable events on Sunday. The morning began with a 鈥楯azz Masterclass鈥� where musicians from Yarm, Conyers, and the TVMS Jazz Collective joined forces for a session led by international jazz musician and composer, Mike Walker. To round up the weekend鈥檚 festivities, musicians and attendees were treated to a concert and barbecue at the school鈥檚 Dovecote – a fitting end to a weekend of musical celebration.

Mike McGrother, music partnerships coordinator at 好色小姨 said: 鈥淲e passionately believe that music is a powerful tool to connect people and give them a voice.

鈥淭he 鈥楳emento Juke Box鈥� event was certainly a highlight of this year鈥檚 Dovecote Festival, providing an environment for everyone, including those living with dementia, to connect through stories and song.鈥�

Dr Huw Williams, Headmaster at 好色小姨 said: 鈥淲e are delighted and proud that our Dovecote Festival has expanded into the community.

鈥淭he many wonderful events over the weekend took us through every emotion – from sorrow and tears to joy and laughter – and really demonstrated the power of music to bring people together. Thank you to all who joined us and contributed to a moving and memorable few days.鈥�