Local School Children Sing With Sting At Sage Gateshead

Children from 18 schools from across Tyneside have been rehearsing for a very special event which will see them sing alongside composer, singer-songwriter and actor Sting at a schools-only afternoon event on Friday 24 April as the musician prepares to perform songs from his recent album and Broadway show ‘The Last Ship’ to benefit Sage Gateshead’s 10^th Birthday Appeal. Three of Sage Gateshead’s top vocal coaches, Sharon Durant, Ed Milner and Claire Tustin have been working closely with the children and their teachers helping them prepare songs from ‘The Last Ship’, to ensure they are confident to raise the roof of Hall One ahead of Sting’s show later that evening. Inspired by and set in Sting’s hometown of Wallsend, ‘The Last Ship’ is an epic tale of hard working men and women, battling against the odds to maintain their way of life and their livelihood.  It uses the story of those working in shipyards along the Tyne to tell a tale that has roots in the North East but resonates the world over. Sage Gateshead is delighted that Sting is bringing ‘The Last Ship’ home to benefit the venue’s 10^th Birthday Appeal.  These first UK concert performances by Sting of songs from ‘The Last Ship’ are supported by Cunard, Shepherd Offshore and Port of Tyne. Sting grew up beside Swan Hunter where Cunard’s legendary liners Mauretania and Carpathia were built.  David Dingle, Chairman of Cunard Line said: “We’re delighted that in 2015, Cunard’s 175^th anniversary year, we are able to commemorate the creation of two of our most famous ships on the Tyne through this show.  ‘The Last Ship’ has songs that go to the heart of this country’s shipbuilding industries.” Anthony Sargent, General Director Sage Gateshead said: “I want to pay a deep debt of gratitude to Sting for creating this special performance for local schoolchildren, and also his enormously kind decision to allow the proceeds of all the public performances to go to our 10^th Birthday Appeal which will support all the education work we do in local schools and communities.” Some of the region’s best-loved musicians will join Sting onstage, including actor and singer Jimmy Nail, fiddle and Northumbrian pipe player Kathryn Tickell, The Wilson Family from Billingham and Tyneside sisters Becky and Rachel Unthank.