These 3 images courtesy of Colin Waller. Narrative to follow.
On 7 April 2014 Sylvia Schembri added:
Recently I came across the Newham Music Academy website with blogs of various past members recalling a trip to Gibraltar the Newham Youth Orchestra made in 1973. I was so amazed that I emailed the contact address and here is a short resume of my experience from that time.
My name is now Sylvia Schembri, but in 1973 I was Sylvia Cortes, music teacher, orchestral player (clarinet) and married to Hector Cortes, conductor of the Gibraltar Symphony Orchestra who was a teacher, composer, arranger and founder of the Gibraltar Girls Choir. He was a very talented all round musician given to encouraging the youth of Gibraltar to discover and enjoy music making. In 1973 my husband wrote an article in an edition of 'Living Music' and as a result of reading this article, Stephen Moore, Secretary of the Schools Music Association, contacted Hector Cortes. This eventually led to a 10 day visit to Gibraltar by Stephen Moore and Michael Toll, Music Advisor for the London Borough of Newham. It was a very enjoyable visit and my husband and myself were proud to show Stephen and Michael the musical education system we had developed on the Rock, including our Music Centre and work with the various schools on the Rock. Stephen gave two lectures to teachers and along with Michael gave a TV interview on Gibraltar's local TV station. Talks were held with the Minister for Culture and Sport and the Director and Minister for Education in Gibraltar - links were forged!
Arrangement were made after these discussions for the Newham Academy Youth Orchestra to come out to Gibraltar. One of the comments I read on the website was about the lovely Hotel the children stayed at with a swimming pool, which was, if I remember, the Bristol Hotel. Unfortunately, I have no other paperwork about the concerts which were given (this is now over 40 years ago and I was only 25 years of age!!!) These concerts I know made quite an impact on the community in Gibraltar.
In March 1974 the Gibraltar Girls Choir came to London and carried out a series of concerts including a shared concert with the Newham Girl Singers (conductor Margaret Kay) and the Newham Youth Orchestra (conductors Laurie Griffiths and William Roskelly). Gibraltar's famous guitarist, William Gomez, also performed some guitar solos. This concert was given at the Town Hall in the presence of the Mayor, Councillor J C Taylor. I remember being invited to the Mayors Parlour for a small reception after the preformance.
Sadly, my marriage broke up and I came back to UK in 1976 and completely gave up the music scene. I remarried and went into nursing then secretarial work. I am now retired and have recently found out that Hector Cortes died in September 2013.
It would be nice to hear from anyone who was involved in those concerts and what impact it had on them and whether anybody followed on with a career in music.
Sylvia Schembri
May 2014
Recently I came across the Newham Music Academy website with blogs of various past members recalling a trip to Gibraltar the Newham Youth Orchestra made in 1973. I was so amazed that I emailed the contact address and here is a short resume of my experience from that time.
My name is now Sylvia Schembri, but in 1973 I was Sylvia Cortes, music teacher, orchestral player (clarinet) and married to Hector Cortes, conductor of the Gibraltar Symphony Orchestra who was a teacher, composer, arranger and founder of the Gibraltar Girls Choir. He was a very talented all round musician given to encouraging the youth of Gibraltar to discover and enjoy music making. In 1973 my husband wrote an article in an edition of 'Living Music' and as a result of reading this article, Stephen Moore, Secretary of the Schools Music Association, contacted Hector Cortes. This eventually led to a 10 day visit to Gibraltar by Stephen Moore and Michael Toll, Music Advisor for the London Borough of Newham. It was a very enjoyable visit and my husband and myself were proud to show Stephen and Michael the musical education system we had developed on the Rock, including our Music Centre and work with the various schools on the Rock. Stephen gave two lectures to teachers and along with Michael gave a TV interview on Gibraltar's local TV station. Talks were held with the Minister for Culture and Sport and the Director and Minister for Education in Gibraltar - links were forged!
Arrangement were made after these discussions for the Newham Academy Youth Orchestra to come out to Gibraltar. One of the comments I read on the website was about the lovely Hotel the children stayed at with a swimming pool, which was, if I remember, the Bristol Hotel. Unfortunately, I have no other paperwork about the concerts which were given (this is now over 40 years ago and I was only 25 years of age!!!) These concerts I know made quite an impact on the community in Gibraltar.
In March 1974 the Gibraltar Girls Choir came to London and carried out a series of concerts including a shared concert with the Newham Girl Singers (conductor Margaret Kay) and the Newham Youth Orchestra (conductors Laurie Griffiths and William Roskelly). Gibraltar's famous guitarist, William Gomez, also performed some guitar solos. This concert was given at the Town Hall in the presence of the Mayor, Councillor J C Taylor. I remember being invited to the Mayors Parlour for a small reception after the preformance.
Sadly, my marriage broke up and I came back to UK in 1976 and completely gave up the music scene. I remarried and went into nursing then secretarial work. I am now retired and have recently found out that Hector Cortes died in September 2013.
It would be nice to hear from anyone who was involved in those concerts and what impact it had on them and whether anybody followed on with a career in music.
Sylvia Schembri
May 2014