APRS NEWS
September 1998
INDUSTRY AID FOR MONTSERRAT
Rebuilding the economy and the tourist industry of Montserrat has been a mammoth task since volcanic eruptions wrought colossal damage on the island two years ago.
Readers will be aware that many in the music industry felt special concern for the sad situation of the local people and have already donated cash, time and equipment to the Montserrat campaign, which The APRS also supports.
The fund-raising, oriented towards a music education programme for the island, continues this autumn with three big events.
The Many Happy Returns show, scheduled for 18 September in London, will be followed by a celebrity concert in Montserrat on 1 October. This will be attended by Sir George and Lady Martin, Richard Branson and some surprise guests who will all be flying in on Virgin Atlantic, with nearly 200 journalists and TV crews, as the airline inaugurates its new routes to the Caribbean.
The final concert, for Montserratian refugees who have had to leave their homes, will take place on Antigua a week later.
Peter Filleul, vice-chairman of Re-Pro, who is organising the shows, praised the generous response in pledges of money and equipment, including a recent gift valued at $20,000 from guitar manufacturer Gibson Musical Instruments of Nashville. Said Peter, "Music tuition plays an important role in the development of learning skills, and the setting up of a Foundation specifically to encourage the teaching of music on the island has been very close to our hearts."
Sir George Martin plans to build a community centre which will need PA, lighting and recording equipment, and schemes are afoot to assemble a complete rig for music and drama performances. All donations are welcome, and Virgin Atlantic has already volunteered to fly out gifts of equipment.
For details on the Montserrat Music Fund or Foundation, call Peter Filleul on 0181 699 1245, or Chris Runciman on 01932 848831.
|
|
