'Whistleblower' takes to stage A world-champion whistler, who has puckered up at New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall, is among a group of international artists taking centre stage at church on Tyneside.
American, Michael Barimo will share the platform with a seven-year-old Turkish pianist and other world musicians to demonstrate their expertise in a musical programme ranging from classical to jazz.
The free concert, 24 January at Walker parish church, is the result of an unique exchange between Newcastle and its "sister city" of Little Rock in Arkansas.
It will round off a week long visit by the musicians, who will carry out workshops in schools in Newcastle as well as working with elderly groups.
A spokesman for Newcastle City Council said: "This is a marvellous opportunity for residents of Newcastle to see world-class performers and enjoy a varied musical programme.
Young musicians
"It is another example of how Newcastle is helping to deliver a range of world class cultural experiences to local people.
"It isn't very often that people are able to enjoy artists who usually perform at the likes of Carnegie Hall on their own doorstep.
"By holding workshops in local schools we will hopefully inspire our city's young musicians to develop their talents further."
The visit, now in its third year, has developed from of a friendship agreement signed by the cit council's children and young people's service in 1999.
It brings to the UK classically trained musicians who have won the IBLA Music Foundation competition in Ragusa, Sicily, another of Little Rock's sister cities.
Salvatore Moltisanti, the overall organiser of the IBLA festival and who will be accompanying the group said: "This is the third year that the prize winners will be visiting Newcastle and the city is now an accepted venue for our programme.
"It is such a friendly city and so steeped in history that all our performers want to be involved in the visit." Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/tyne/3405805.stm
Published: 2004/01/17 13:51:00 GMT
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