Perfect Pitch: Prestigious concert with Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra has a charity focus

Jun 15 2011 Birkenhead News

THE prestigious open air performance by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at Birkenhead School on Saturday is more than just a celebration of its 150th anniversary.

The event will also raise vital funds for four charities close to hearts of staff and pupils.

Headmaster John Clark said:Š “We are looking forward to a really superb event and we are delighted that our celebrations will help the charities we continue to support.

“Through them, we hope to have a positive impact on the lives of people, and especially children, not only locally but in two of the most deprived areas of the world.

“I would urge people to support the event. It will be a lot of fun and there’s no doubt it will help a lot of people.”

The orchestra, conducted by Vasily Petrenko, and featuring a guest appearance from Liverpool mezzo soprano Kathryn Rudge, will be playing popular classics and songs from the musicals. The evening will come to a climax with a spectacular choreographed fireworks display accompanying Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

The charities are:

Rock of Joy, a Heswall-based charity which works to provide better education for children at the school in Masaka in Uganda.

The population is poor with little education, and has a large number of HIV/AIDs orphans.

So far the charity has paid to rebuild the school with proper classrooms; funded teachers’ salaries; provided a clean water supply; created a farm to improve self sufficiency and bought a truck to get produce to market.ŠImportantly it has also started to feed the children at school.

Launched in Birkenhead 11 years ago, Home-Start, is a voluntary organisation offering support, friendship and practical help to families with children under five.

The charity offers free and confidential support for parents who may be overwhelmed by the stresses of family life with very young children.

The Charles Thompson’s Mission in Birkenhead was founded in the late 19th century to help children living in poverty and today the charity continues to distribute clothing and food to those in need.

So The Child May Live is a Liverpool-based charity working to support the KantiŠ Children’s Hospital in Nepal.

Drawing on the goodwill and expertise of medical staff at Alder Hey, the charity provides equipment, training and development help.

Guests can pay on the gate (£24 for adults, £18 for 5-18 year olds, under 5s free), bringing picnic baskets, folding chairs and rugs; there will also be food and licensed bars on the night. Advance bookings on sale online at www.birkenheadschool.co.uk, or by telephone on 0151 652 4014.ŠTicket and VIP enquiries can also be sent to mary.butterworth@birkenheadschool.co.uk