News and Reviews

News: Special Olympics Gig for ViVA
July 23 2009

sinfonia ViVA, the East Midlands' only professional Orchestra, will be bringing together Special Olympians for a break from competition and giving them the chance turn their hand to performing classical music next week.

Orchestra members will be holding workshops at the Special Olympics Games Village around the Walkers Stadium in Leicester on Wednesday July 29 between 1pm and 3pm when athletes, their coaches and families can come together and listen to and make music with the professional ViVA musicians.

The workshops are part of the Special Olympics social programme for the 10,000 athletes, family and coaches organised by Big Difference Company – the events company behind the internationally renowned Leicester Comedy Festival.

sinfonia ViVA Education Manager Marianne Barraclough explained: "The workshops will be the ideal opportunities for athletes, their coaches and families to take a well deserved break from competition and let their creative juices flow. They will work together and with our professional musicians to make music using voices and percussion."

"As an Orchestra, we are honoured to be involved in such a prestigious event based here in the East Midlands whose whole ethos is to empower individuals. It shows just how many similarities sports and classical music share."

"I am sure it will be a great experience for everyone involved and will complement brilliantly the other social activities organised during the week ranging from cheerleading to kite flying."

Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones - Tel: 01332 515102/07951 945 665 sarah@jjpublicrelations.co.uk