Aurora Meldreth Manor hosts choir recital

Potton-base choir, The Ensemble of Friends, is a four-part acapella group led by the renowned conductor Douglas Coombes MBE. Among the choristers is Denise Grayston, Principal of Meldreth Manor school, Meldreth Manor children’s home and Orchard Manor residential home, which are all located on one site in Manor Road.

The choir sang two, 30-minute concerts, one for the school children and support staff and another for young adults from Orchard Manor and their support staff. They performed an eclectic programme of music, arranged by Mr Coombes, including folk songs and Christmas songs.

Denise said she was grateful to her fellow choristers for sparing the time to perform and said the pupils, young adults and staff enjoyed the experience.

She said: “It’s extremely valuable to expose our pupils and residents to a live music experience so the recital was staged as a formal event with everyone sitting together and enjoying that sense of anticipation before the singing begins.

“Many of our young people may have never had the opportunity to attend a formal concert. Often their individual ways of expressing themselves perhaps through sounds or movements they make or getting up and wandering around, don’t fit the expected norms of audience behaviour and families may feel reluctant to attend such an event.

“By holding a formal concert at Meldreth, where those expressions are anticipated, tolerated and embraced, we can develop learning and model appropriate behaviour – taking your seat, listening, sharing, showing appreciation, being part of a wider community."

“Music is a great leveller and can be appreciated in many different ways.” Denise Grayston, Principal of Aurora Meldreth Manor School. 

The next public performance by The Ensemble of Friends is at St Peter’s Church in Wrestingworth on Sunday, December 14 at 2.30pm. Tickets: adults £10, five to 16-year-olds £5; under-5s free. Visit Events | Ensemble of Friends | Potton

Aurora Meldreth Manor supports children and young people aged six to 19 with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties and complex needs, whilst Aurora Orchard Manor provides a supportive living and learning environment for young adults aged 18-30 with similar needs.