We're thrilled to announce that composer Debbie Wiseman OBE, who has recently been re-appointed as President of Making Music, is gifting one of her pieces for this year’s Make Music Day celebrations on 21 June.
Debbie Wiseman, one of the UK’s most successful composers, was appointed as Making Music’s first female President in 2019. This year, she will be supporting Make Music Day by re-scoring her brass band piece The Down Ampney March – previously only performed at the 75th anniversary commemoration of Operation Market Garden in September 2019 at All Saints Church, Down Ampney, Gloucestershire – for the Big Summer Wind Orchestra and Choir which will this year be performing for Make Music Day at Potters Fields Park near Tower Bridge.
Last year, the event drew over 200 performers to take part in this scratch band and choir, performing a whole range of music to passing audiences on the longest day of the year.
This free public event, supported by Team London Bridge, will take place from 7pm on the evening of Friday 21 June at Potters Fields Park by Tower Bridge in South London. All musicians are welcome to register in advance on the Big Summer Wind Orchestra and Choir website, so that they can be sent music and then join in with their instrument or voice.
Debbie Wiseman, President of Making Music, said:
‘I’m honoured to have been given the chance to expand the Down Ampney March into a wind band arrangement for this very special occasion. Make Music Day is a fantastic opportunity for musicians of all abilities to turn up with their instruments – and voices! – and join together to celebrate the joy of music-making. It’s going to be a great evening and I can’t wait to hear my music played by the maximum number of musicians we can possibly squeeze into Potters Fields Park!’
Adam Funnell, Event Coordinator of the Big Summer Wind Orchestra and Choir, said:
‘Make Music Day is the perfect opportunity to bring together hundreds of performers for an enormous musical celebration. Premiering a new work from Debbie will be a real highlight, alongside classical favourites and well-known tunes so that everyone can join in. We’re proud to work with Making Music and Team London Bridge to bring our summer musical extravaganza to the banks of the Thames this year.’
Barbara Eifler and Seamus McGibbon, Co-Chief Executives of Making Music, said:
‘We are delighted and honoured that Debbie has agreed to continue as our President, and this year is also supporting Make Music Day – the biggest global annual grassroots celebration of music free to the public, bringing music to people in unexpected places.’
For more information about the event, visit the Big Summer Wind Orchestra and Choir's website
