Silvy Weatherall & Derek Paravicini

Singer and artist, Silvy Weatherall, has teamed up with Derek Paravicini,
the talented blind and autistic jazz pianist who is supported by AMBER,
to record a new CD.

So far, Making Tracks, a compilation of jazz favourites, has raised an
amazing £4,000 for The Trust.

Thank you, Silvy and Derek.

AMBER's Musical Party at Mall Galleries
on May 11th was a resounding success.
Over 500 people were entertained by
Derek Paravicini and Jools Holland
playing jazz piano, along with jazz
singer Silvy Weatherall, the New London
Chamber Ensemble and The Pretty Little
Horsebreakers Can Can Troupe.

Together with donations, ticket sales,
prizes from the Tree of Treats, as well
as the Silent Auction, the amount raised
on the night far exceeded AMBER's
expectations.

  The Chairman and

  Trustees of The
  AMBER Trust would
  like to thank everyone
  who so generously  
  participated in making
  their Musical Party such
  a memorable evening.

Thanks to the many
donations we have
received from our
supporters and friends,
The AMBER Trust now
brings music into the
lives of over 100 blind
and partially sighted
children like Scott (left).

Four-year-old Scott,
who is registered blind,
has been going to toddler
'Music Train' classes, where
his confidence is improving
and he is starting to sing
and act out the songs.
At one class recently,
he amazed and delighted
everyone when,asked what
animal Old MacDonald
wanted on his farm, he
called out "Duck". No-one
in the class had ever heard
Scott speak before.

Scott at a Music Train class 

Lloyd Coleman, one of AMBER's most talented musicians, has composed
a fantastic piece of music, The AMBER Scherzo, which has been recorded
by the New London Chamber Ensemble. The quintet were so impressed
by 16-year-old Lloyd's musically mature compostion that they have decided
to include it in their repertoire. Written sympathetically for each instrument,
it is vivacious and tuneful – a great number to start any programme. In fact,
the music is considered so accomplished that a Canadian Wind Group is
hoping to commission Lloyd to write another piece.

After 22 days in temperatures as low as -47°C, Rachel Andrews and her team
'Due South' have reached the South Pole.

Rachel was one of only two girls in the gruelling Amundsen Omega 3 South
Pole Race and, despite a bout of flu and frostbite, she battled on, coming
fourth in the race.

It has taken enormous courage, strength and determination to ski almost
800km to the Geographic South Pole, in Antarctica – the driest, highest,
coldest desert in the world – and one of the most extreme environments
on the planet.

Rachel carried an MP3 player full of songs and tunes selected by AMBER's
children to listen to as she braved the snow and icy winds. For her,
this music was invaluable.

Rachel, we salute you, and congratulate you on your amazing
achievement in finishing this race. We thank you for choosing
The AMBER Trust as your charity.

If you would like to make a donation, please visit Rachel's JustGiving site

A concert to celebrate Louis Braille's unique contribution to the lives and careers of blind musicians is to be held at St Andrew's Minster Church in Plymouth on Saturday17th October 2009 from 7.30 – 9.30 pm.

The concert features exquisite and evocative music selected for its diversity and wide appeal with contributions from five outstanding blind composers and performances by a professional team, which includes two prominent blind woodwind players.

Soloists:

James Risdon (clarinet & recorders)          Kate Osborne (flute)

Brian Thurston (organ & piano)                Keri Fuge (soprano)

Tickets: Adults – £8  •  Students and children under 16 – £3

All proceeds from the concert will very kindly be given to The AMBER Trust. 

Braille Bicentenary Concert
St Andrew's Minster Church
Royal Parade

Plymouth PL1 2AD

Saturday 17 October, 2009