200 children from primary schools across Bath will perform Stardust in Bath Abbey on 16 and 17 June, taking the audience on a journey through space. The children will also be performing the world premiere of the song We Are Every Child, composed in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum jubilee. The performances will be accompanied by the Bristol Ensemble, narrated by Bath pantomime’s Jon Monie and directed by Francis Faux.
Stardust, written by Jools Scott and Sue Curtis as a response to the pandemic, shows how children can build on adversity and come out stronger. The children join six characters as they travel through the solar system overcoming challenges on each planet they visit.
To prepare for the performance, Voices for Life has been visiting schools across Bath holding weekly workshops for the children. Tessa Armstrong the charity’s founder, explained, “During each workshop, we engage the children in the story of Stardust, building their confidence at each step whilst at the same time enabling them to find their voice through singing as a choir. The performances will be an unforgettable experience for the children. I will certainly never forget all the smiles and dancing at the end of the 2021 performances!”
The Stardust project has been supported by six Bath primary schools, with the children choosing a space themed name for each of the choirs.
- Combe Down Stars, Combe Down Primary School
- Roundhill Voices, Roundhill Primary School
- Martin’s Marvellous Singers, St Martin’s Garden Primary School
- Shining Solar Singers, St Michael’s Junior School
- Starry St Stephen’s, St Stephen’s Primary School
- Winsley Space Crabs, Winsley Primary School
“The children have loved it,” said Jayne Rochford -Smith, Headteacher, St Andrew’s Church School, Bath. “It has been wonderful to watch them develop over the sessions and the joy in performing at the Abbey and pushing themselves through the nerves.
“The parents have been so proud of the children, and this was reflected in how many came along to watch. Thank you to Voices for Life for the vision and creativity to make this happen.”
Singing with the schools will be a choir made up of children who sang in the 2021 performance of Stardust, giving children who took part previously an opportunity to return to the stage representing six more primary schools.
The performance will be welcoming the attendance of our patron the Mayor of Bath, the Lord Lieutenant, Deputy Lieutenant, and the High Sheriff of Somerset.
Tickets for Stardust are available from Both Box Office.