KING EDWARD VI ASTON SCHOOL -12TH July 2010
Dear Cecil
Re: Festival of Cultures 2010
Thank you for supporting this year's Festival.
The feedback which we have received from the students indicates that they enjoyed your workshop...
because you made it participatory and because they felt that they had learnt or made something by the end.
The 2011 Festival will take place in July and I would be greatful if you could put this in your diary as we would very much like to offer your workshop again.
Mr C Parker, Headmaster
**********
Wedding - June 2010
Cecil, absolutely amazing. The girls were awesome. Could not have dreamed they'd be that good. Not a dry eye in the house! Thank you so much. Everyone commented on them being spectacular. Talking point all night....
Mr & Mrs N. Gupta
**********
CONFERENCING
-November 2009
West Midlands Probation has been involved with the Gospel Academy in Hockley, Birmingham, from early days. Offenders sentenced to Community Payback worked on renovating and decorating the space. So it seemed a good potential location for our public meeting.
When we came to scout the Gospel Academy we were really impressed by the space. It’s very versatile – it can fit many people but still lends itself well to low-key, informal gatherings. It’s very convenient for parking, transport etc and is handily located for central Birmingham. It has all the facilities you need – kitchen, lift etc. And it’s very “Birmingham” – both in its architecture and history as an old jewellery factory, and in its current use as a vibrant, multi-cultural artistic centre.
When we used the Gospel Academy for our public meeting it was warm and cosy on a wet November night. The Caribbean food supplied was delicious.
West Midlands Probation would recommend the Gospel Academy to anyone wanting a space that is vibrant and informal, and that showcases the best of Birmingham. Cecil is a delight to work with and will do everything in his power to make your event go smoothly.
Mike Maiden
Chief Officer, West Midlands Probation
**********
27/04/2009 "I just want to thank you and the choir for making my 40th party go with a bang - I can safely say that all 47 guests commented on how great they were - it really made the party special. Sorry it's taken me long to email - I am only just coming down from celebrating! The party was magical - I would do it all again. Please pass on my thanks to everyone involved - and please let me know if you are performing anywhere - I would love to come and see you all again."
"Take care, thanks again and God Bless."
xxxxxx
Debra Mitchell
Broadcast Journalist
BBC Midlands Today
Debral Mitchell
**********
06/01/2009
"Just a huge thank you to all of you for making our day just that bit more special- you are amazing and I will tell the world about you...."
"Thank you so much."
Kiera and Andy x
Kiera and Andy
**********
20/11/2008
Academy Choir sing with Connie on Connie Talbot's Christmas Special December 2008
"Sorry I have not had a chance to write a proper thank you to you and the girls until now…..I have been working like crazy to get the footage edited."
"There should be 2 tracks on YouTube by the weekend…..the girls feature in both of them."
"The commercial for Connie’s album starts running this weekend too….and I know that the girls are in that as well. . I don’t know when it will be on but look out for it on ITV1."
"They were brilliant on Saturday…so patient and extremely professional…they were a great addition to the show so please pass on my sincere thanks to them …."
Andy Bevan
Producer, ITV Central
**********
26/11/2008 Feed The Children Fund-raising Event at St. Philips Cathedral
"On behalf of Feed The Children, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of your team who contributed to the success of Saturday’s concert."
"We have had some wonderful comments about the concert which everyone enjoyed, the only problem we have now, is that they want to know when we’re going to do it again because they enjoyed it so much."
"Please would you be kind enough to pass on my thanks to every student/performer for giving their time and talents to help the charity."
"I hope that we can re-new the partnership sometime in the future for another successful collaboration."
Joy Cartwright. Regional Fundraising Manager. Feed The Children
**********
31st August 2007
Mother of Jennifer Cooper – Symphony Hall Participant
Testimonial given over telephone
“......was such a good production, if the publicity had been more explanatory I’m sure more parents and families would have attended. Symphony Hall is such a lovely venue and was a shame not to have been full. Thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the dancing, don’t get to do much of that. When you have another function I will definitely bring more of the family. Looking forward to next year!”
Mrs Kathy Cooper
**********
June 2008
Youth Choir presentation
"Once again, thanks for your help Cecil, everyone really enjoyed the performance and I am sure that the College will call on you again".
Jill Fieldhouse
Producer
RS LIVE
National College for School Leadership 'Seizing Success' Confernece at N.I.A
**********
May 2008
"Dear Clyde
"I want to say a very big thank you for your hard work and the musical leadership you demonstrated at the recent national 'Values in Leadership for the 21st Century Conference' held at the Botanical Gardens.
The three choirs you led were an inspiration and gave a fantastic opener to the conference.
As you were aware, there were up to 200 head teachers present from many parts of the UK and I picked up a considerable number of positive commentaries regarding how you and the choirs really set the scene for the day.
The singing was terrific and the arrangements were first class. The music created a 'bonding' atmosphere which was important as this was the first time many delegates had visited the Botanical Gardens.
Once again, my sincere thanks to you and Cecil for playing a cooperative and supportive role.............. I do hope this will be the beginning of a long episode of ensuring we have musical involvement in all aspects of our work as the national agenda on values moves forward".
Gerald Love
Education Advisor for School Effectiveness
Officer for White Underachievement
Birmingham City Council
Values Education for Life Conference
**********
February 2008
- February 2008 - BIRMINGHAM NEWSPAPER
'Youngsters to hit high notes'
"Billesley youngsters will be hitting the high notes this week at a gospel singing course.
Vocal professional Clyde Forde will be providing five two-hour training sessions for children aged four to sixteen.
He will be joined by tutors from the Academy of Gospel Music and the children will perform to an audience including the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart and Steve McCabe MP. at 12noon on Saturday, at Holy Cross Church, in Billesley Common.
Vicar of Holy Cross Revd Pamela Ogilvie said: "We are very excited about this chance to train and nurture a new choir for Billesley. As a church we see this as an exciting venture in partnership with Billesley Extended Services and The Academy of Gospel Music which will help link the community and the church. I really believe music empowers children because it can help them overcome inhibitions, articulate their thoughts and feelings and build their confidence. We hope some of the children may discover they have a talent for singing and we are looking for further funding so the choir may continue to thrive. We are also looking for funding for an adult community choir too."
Billesley Children's Community Choir
**********
June 2008
"Thank you for your contribution to planning and organizing the workshops which made the week a huge success. I believe the choir will go from strength to strength under Jj's guidance and we look forward to inviting you to future performances."
"The choir was formed in February and after a hugely successful inaugural concert have been practicing and performing on a regular basis. The members of the choir are very committed and have been growing in confidence...................... The wonderful progress they have all made over the past five months."
The Revd. Pamela Ogilvie
Holy Cross Church, Billesley Common
**********
09/07/2008
Festival of Cultures KING EDWARDS VI ASTON SCHOOL 2008
"The feedback which we have received from the students indicates that they enjoyed your workshop mainly because you made it participatory and because they felt they learnt or made something by the end.
The 2009 festival will take place on Wednesday, 8th July and I would be grateful if you could put this date in your diary as we would very much like to offer your workshop again.
Once again, thank you for your support and we look forward to working with you again next year".
C. Parker
Headmaster
KING EDWARD VI ASTON SCHOOL
**********
TURVES GREEN GIRLS SCHOOL WORKSHOP - 09/06/2008
Feedback Questionnaire
How well were you taught?
Scale of 1 - 5 where 1 = poor, 5 = excellent
20 of 23 participants responded with a 5
2 of 23 responded with a 4
1 of 23 responded with a 3
**********
SPAIN 31/05/2008
Wedding
“Everything was fine with Jj and the girls. Great singers and real nice people. Hope they enjoyed staying. Could you pass me their emails to tell them my impressions! I will ship the DVD to you when is done. Thanks for everything. Let us keep in touch.”
Ferni Cordoba, Spain
**********
WORKSHOP All Saints School, Churchleigh, Stoke-on-Trent
"Just to say a huge thank you to all of you for an absolutely fabulous two days at All Saints. You brought out so much more from the children than we could have ever have prayed for. My personal prayers had been that you would help the children to have fun and learn to sing of their praises for Him with their heart and soul - you made sure of that!!!! Knowing the children and some of their difficulties made it even more obvious to myself and the teaching team just what an impact you had on the confidence of some, in such a short span of time. Your approach and work is a true calling and I pray very much you will receive many more opportunities to do much more. I have rarely known the Head short for words but after your amazing praise song at the end - she knew to leave it with few. The parents were too set alight through this experience. I am sure we will be in touch again very soon but for now I thank you most sincerely for what you brought to our village children in Leigh".
Every blessing
Nicky Grey
**********
WORKSHOP CONFERENCE with London Community Gospel Choir - LCGC
"On behalf on of the London Community Gospel Choir …… I thank you profoundly for your sterling and professional contribution at the 1st Gospel Arts and Music Workshop/Conference.. All the delegates were highly flattering in their comments/evaluation of the whole day! That feeling of 'WOW' was consistent throughout!"
Many thanks again
John Wayne
**********
WEDDING
Revd. Mark Townsend
"Cecil Chambers, and his choir from the Academy of Gospel Music, were the very heart-beat of our wedding ceremony. Everybody said they had never been to such a wonderful service before and that the choir were 'heavenly'. My wife, Jodie and I cannot thank them enough. I am not exaggerating when I say that having them sing at my wedding will remain one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I cannot recommend them highly enough".
**********
Feedback from secondary school teacher following Symphony Hall Concert 'Youth with Purpose' July 2007
Hi, could only make first hour of concert as.... , but...fantastic! Well done....I know you've done loads of events before but I still think you deserve to know how impressive Symphony Hall was! Hope to speak soon..... is it possible to join the adult choir please? And is there a contact I could have for..........., as I'm looking for a ....... role model for my new school. All the best.
Ruthy
**********
July 2005
Worskshops
All Saints School, Churchleigh July 200
“May I take this opportunity on behalf of all of us here at All Saints School, to say a great big thank you for all your help and support during Creative Arts Week………………… Just a little note to say a great big thank you for all the hard work and effort you put in to making our Arts Week so special! You brought a truly ‘magical’ quality to the children’s learning experience and they were thrilled with what you enabled them to do! We all feel very thankful that we were lucky enough to share time during the week with you! May I wish you all the very, very best for your future and look forwards to working with you all again"!
Best wishes
Debbie, Vicki, the staff and governors of All Saints School
**********
November 2004 Wedding
“Dear Cecil and the Academy of Gospel Music, thank you so much for the music and singing at our wedding. We thought it was fantastic.
Thank you for making our day the best ever.”
Wedding November 2004
With love from Sarah & Nick Priestley
**********
Wedding
"With our sincerest thanks to you all, ‘The Academy of Gospel Music’ in making our wedding ‘A Dream come true’. Professional singing raised the day, guests were talking about it all evening, a real joy to have met you and the Academy of Gospel Music……. So professional, my wife and I feel that we’ve had you as friends for a long time………….. you made our day, especially for my family, my aunt recently lost her husband and she cried when she heard the girls sing….”
Love Ellen & Colin
**********
The Royal Show, Stoneleigh 2003
"I write to thank you very much indeed for all your hard work for the Royal Show 2003. Although the weather did not always work in our favour, visitor numbers increased to over 159,000 and feedback we have received to date suggests that the new show days were a success. I do hope you had an enjoyable Royal Show. We thoroughly enjoyed your performance, please accept my genuine thanks for your support".
The Royal Show
Royal Agricultural Society of England
Debbie Dineley
**********
October 2002
The following report is taken from Birmingham Catholic Partnership Newsletter
BIRMINGHAM’S CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP
'In June 2002 his Grace Archbishop Vincent Nicholas commissioned over 150 Partnership students who have been called to service in our schools. The Archbishop provided a tour of the Cathedral during his sermon as both a form of welcome but also to explain how our lives are centred in the Eucharist.
The Mass celebrated the end of a two-year project to train the ‘peer supporters’. The two-day training for each school had been provided by LIFE. Peer supporters are now actively in service providing support and advice for younger pupils. They are great role models for their peers and a valuable ‘listening ear’.
The Gospel Choir was also launched at the Mass. Building on the successful work initiated by Alan Francis at St Edmund Campion the Partnership has built close links with the Academy of Gospel Music. The Academy provided trainers for the Gospel Music Residential in Bewdley in May. Each school sent a number of gifted singers who worked on the Mass Liturgy with Gospel trainers. It was inspiring to see young people singing so joyfully especially when an impromptu concert at the Residential went on for over three hours such was the enthusiasm of the students!
The singing at the Partnership Mass in June was inspirational and the whole congregation joined in the final hymn based on ‘You are the Fairest of Ten Thousand’ (Book of Songs: 2v1)
In July the Partnership Gospel Choir were invited to perform at Symphony Hall Birmingham at ‘The Well’ a Gospel Concert showcasing local talent and national award winning Gospel talent. The Partnership Choir joined with other schools to serve a cocktail of inspirational music. There was a standing ovation. Congratulations are extended to Alan Francis and colleagues from the Academy of Gospel Music".
Birmingham Catholic Partnership Newsletter
**********
2002 Birmingham ArtsFest
Birmingham Rep Theatre Main Stage
‘GOSPEL MUSIC AS WE KNOW IT’
A chorale and young people’s choir from the Academy of Gospel Music sing an eclectic compilation of Gospel Music’
Taken from ArtsFest event guide 2002
**********
2005 Student Feedback
What I enjoy most about Gospel singing?
“The vocal training & the community work”
“Singing & taking part”
“Singing & making new friends”
“The support I received from others”
Youth participant, N.I.A. choir 2005
**********
2004
Student Feedback
What I learned about myself?
“I can sing high harmonies”
“That I am capable of harmonising with big groups of people”
“I can push myself further by receiving and using these coaching methods”
“That my vocal range is from tenor to Soprano”
Youth participant, vocal workshop 2004
**********
Written to Birmingham Catholic Partnership of Schools Administrative Office
“Thank you so much for inviting me to the Celebration Mass at St Chad’s last Friday. I would like to congratulate you and the Partnership for arranging such a wonderful event. The music was magnificent and I was very impressed by the Partnership Gospel Choir. It was a most enjoyable occasion.”
P. Taylor
Principal
Newman College for Higher Education
**********
Weekend Workshop - 2002
What I learned about Gospel Music and Vocal Training:-
“It is harder than I expected, but still fun”
“The music’s fun and the training hard work! It always has been.”
“This Music comes from the soul.”
Youth participant 2002, Workshop weekend
**********
2005 Funeral
"My family and friends are still talking about how your presentation lifted our spirits on what was an extremely mournful experience. Thank you "
|
