'CLEAR VOICES'
THE INTERNATIONALLY RENOWED GIRLS' CHOIR FROM BELARUS
Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline
This charity aims to bring over 2000 children suffering from the after effects
of the Chernobyl disaster to this country each year for a respite holiday.
The children stay with host families who provide for them during their
stay. They return home with reduced levels of radiation in their bodies
and stronger immune systems.
In addition to its normal work, Chernobyl Children Life Line arranges a number
of special projects each year which must be separately funded in order to
avoid any impact on its core work.
One such project in 2003 was the visit of the Clear Voices Choir from School No. 3 in Novopolotsk. In 2002 the choir celebrated its 30th anniversary. Albert Kozhushkevich has been choir master since its formation. Following a successful visit in July 2000 the choir were invited to come to the UK again in 2003. In July 2003 it made its first appearance at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and came sixth in its class. The choir were invited again in 2004 and once more competed at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod against choirs from all over the world. On this occasion the choir won their class. They received an enthusiastic reception at Llangollen and it was an unforgettable experience. The choir were invited to sing again in St Paul’s Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral and Bath Abbey and for the first time sang in St Giles’ Church Cripplegate. In 2008 the choir was invited to sing in Vienna at the World Choir Olympics (now known as the World Choir Games). The choir was awarded a silver medal, competing against 91 choirs from all over the world.
In 2010, the choir will be staying in Wadhurst from 2 – 21
July, with their Choir Master Albert Kozhushkevich and accompanist Inessa
Bashmakova. Their formal singing engagements on this visit are:
| Fri 9 July | Canterbury Cathedral 12 noon |
| Sat 10 July | Tonbridge School Chapel 7.30pm |
| Sun 11 July | Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Knightsbridge 10am |
| Mon 12 July | Southwark Cathedral 3.30pm |
| Wed 14 July | St Mildred’s Church Tenterden 7.30pm |
| Sat 17 July | Wadhurst Parish Church 7.30pm - CD available soon |
Wherever they go, the girls are likely to burst into song: at their closing concert in Wadhurst, they will be joined by the Wadhurst Chorale and the Primary School Singing Group.
The Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline [Registered Charity
1014274] can be contacted at Courts, 61 Petworth Road, Haslemere, Surrey,
GU27 3AX or online and would welcome any assistance you can give in providing
a chance of improved health to children whose lives have been blighted
by a tragic man made disaster.