WATCH: The show must go on! Gusts no obstacle for samba kids

Friday 08 April 2022

Hundreds of children have braved Force 6 gusts to sing their hearts out and bash buckets and spades as part of the Channel Islands' largest ever samba orchestra.

‘Jersey Sings Across the Bay’ – the culmination of a four-month educational project with local schools led by charity Music in Action - was due to take place in St. Aubin’s Bay on Wednesday, but it wasn’t possible at that location due to the weather.

But the team managed to pull “a rabbit out of the hat” and stage the musical celebration at the Radisson Blu Hotel, which kindly 'stepped in at the last minute" to offer a sheltered singing location.

Primary school children performed between 12:00 and 14:00 with around 400 children in two sets. 200 children were playing samba and singing their hearts out during their one-hour sets.

Comments from the children included, "It feels really good to be doing it as I love singing", "I got to sing with all my friends and it was fun!" and, "This is one of the best experiences that I have had." 

Video: Music In Action's James Mews offers an insight into how the event went, after overcoming the hurdle of Force 6 gales.

“After the misery of covid, to have so much joy erupting in one place was remarkable," James Mews, Chairman of Music in Action, added.

"To see the smiles on their faces was so incredibly special at the end of this learning journey working on their pieces and the samba orchestra for four months.  

Sponsors of the event included Zedra, the Jersey Community Fund, Citi, Le Masurier, LGT Wealth Management and Moore Stephens.

Juliette de Guelle of lead sponsor Zedra said it was "quite emotional to see it all come together and the joy and pride in the children’s faces was very special!"

"The bucket and spade orchestra was particularly powerful and it was so important for the children to have come together for this amazing event!” she added.