Within the waves 






It has always fascinated me how the world is entirely connected by water. In fact the seas and oceans provided the platform for globalisation to start several centuries ago. It would be a real shock to think of the development since early 16th century to date. 

To work on a project of the capacity of Within the waves, one must understand the complexity and depth of which the project will be working on as well as the various view points from all the participants, both from artistic and also from the admin aspects. The richness of variety, the difficults in harmonising all the content exposed to you and the beauty of it when it is finally ready to go on stage. 

It is overwhelming to see a large scale project coming to fruition. Looking at people on the evening of the performances was very touching. Everyone had challenges, different types of challenges to be overcomed. People were smiling and working hard to make Within the waves to come to life. 

Participants came and spoke to me of how they had only realised bout the whole event once it was on stage. The audience was stactic looking at all the various elements to the performances. Soloists learning different languages, sharing their own personal experiences, elements of music and theatre combined together with a sea shantie. Moments where the power of the sea and nature made life so fragile were translated onto the stage with delicassy and beautiful music, while storms and winds exposed the bravery and the situation of thousands of people who have to flea their place, their so called home to then look for somewhere safe. 

The sea provides also a place for the sacred, the connection with the spiritual and ancestral world, linking traditions of so many cultures around the globe. 


It was an evening of excitment, discoveries, encounters and an opportunity to make and to hear very good music. People left uplifted and mesmerized by the meeting of two seemingly different cultures, combined together to celebrate each other and to become a one universal call about the sea. 

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Within the waves project -The process continues.. 4. Conductors All conductors were at the heart of the project and of the music they were conducting. It was a joy to see Sally, Sandra and Pete conducting. They manage to create a momentum and an atmosphere where each of them could make the choirs thrive on their own ways. It was great also to meet the coductors prior to the rehearsals and talk/discuss about music, about the ideas for the project. I learnt much from it and specially from Northumbria!!  5. Solists Sarah Jane and Rebeca both were spectacular. They were singing with such a beautiful tone and also with the emotions and atittudes required for this project. They did work hard as they both sung in languages other than what they grew up with. Their presence also contributed to the choir and the way they sung. Exploring difference suounds, accents and atittudes towards singing.  6. The choirs Both choirs were really welcoming throughout
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