Celebrating the Return of the Red Kite to our Northern Skies

Ten years since the reintroduction of the Red Kites to the Derwent Valley and five years since the group’s formation, the Friends of Red Kites (FoRK) in collaboration with Sage Gateshead, Royal Northern Sinfonia and other community groups celebrate the legacy of the initial project with a day of music and art. On Red Kite Wings brings together new music, performances and art installations from local school children and performers, as well as creative musings on the Red Kite from local artists and community groups. At the centre of the activities, a chamber ensemble from Royal Northern Sinfonia perform a short concert of light new works from Newcastle University International Centre for Music Studies students, the result of a commission competition directed by Professor Agustín Fernández. The competition winner, Hugo Bell, will have his work Lament of the Red Kite premiered alongside music from other competition finalists Ian Fleming, and Hannah Hawley. Celebrating all things with wings, Royal Northern Sinfonia also perform Haydn’s String Quartet ‘The Bird’ with its trill twitterings from the strings and local folk group the Stocksfield Stompers present their own Red Kite tune set. Trai Anfield, presenter of BBC Radio 4's natural history programme The Living World, and Patron of FoRK, will host the event. Trai's production company Enlightened Media, in partnership with Northumbrian Water, has also produced a film on red kites to accompany Hugo’s winning composition. Trai comments: I'm very proud to be involved in this concert at Sage Gateshead on July 5th, celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the return of red kites to our northern skies. These beautiful birds of prey have inspired artists, enriched our children's education, helped our health and even increased commerce in the Derwent Valley. They deserve to be celebrated in style! As Patron of FoRK it will be my honour to host the event, and introduce a wonderful programme of music. On a personal note I am also excited to premiere my new short film 'On Red Kite Wings' which will be played alongside one of the new classical pieces. The concourse promises to be a hub of activity, with art installations from local artists, artist and painter Alan Mould and glass artist Rena Holford, as well as poetry, writing and pictures from children and FoRK members. An aerial exhibition produced by Clare Satow with local FoRK partner school, Rowland s Gill Primary, supported by Gateshead Council, will appear to fly from the balconies. For music, Children from Amble First School Choir will perform songs dedicated to the Red Kite written Director of Gateshead Schools Music Service, John Treherne. Quickly becoming a recognisable feature in the region, after displays on Durham’s Palace Green and alongside the Angel of the North, the ‘Flight of the Kite’ mosaic will be displayed outside the building on the concert square. A lost breed to the North East for almost two centuries, ten years ago Keith Bowey led a project to reintroduce the majestic Red Kite back to the region. The only project to take place in a semi-urban environment, the Friends of Red Kites recognised the importance of such a conservation project, and are now the most active group in raising awareness of conservation and engaging the community through talks, walks and arts projects. This promises to be a great day out for all ages, and a great way to learn more about this majestic bird species and how to ensure its population thrives well into the future through dedicated conservation.