So many bicycles: Tour de France and the Cambridge Cycle of Songs

School choirs getting ready

On Monday 7th July 2014, the Tour de France Stage 3 started in Cambridge en route to London.  It was a gloriously sunny day, and members of the Faculty of Music were up bright and early to help with a celebration of the event in song from the steps of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

 

Combined Cycle of Songs choir

Cycle of Songs is an Arts Council England funded project commissioned by Cambridge City Council, devised by the award winning Pilot Theatre and Historyworks to mark the Tour de France visit to Cambridge on 7th July 2014. Nine pieces were commissioned from a wide range of composers and poets, inspired by historical research & based on words from original sources of fascinating & quirky stories at iconic locations along the Tour’s route in Cambridge.

Cycle of Songs lyrics and leaflet

This image shows an example of one, “Why we Ride”, celebrating cycling routes in Cambridge and the oldest bike shop in England.  Composed by Kirsty Martin with Rowena Whitehead, based on lyrics by Hollie Mcnish and Inja, together with the song map and app leaflet and the badge worn by the singers.  The songs were all performed by local choirs, musicians and poets to make a free app for Cambridge to leave a lasting digital legacy.

Cambridge Music Education Outreach (CaMEO), based at the Faculty of Music, University of Cambridge,  has developed a portfolio of activities for secondary schools and colleges and primary schools alongside community projects and public events.

Joe Shaw, CaMEO Outreach Officer

Work experience students Emily (left) and Natalie at the Fitzwilliam Museum

For the Tour de France on July 7th, CaMEO Outreach officer Joe Shaw, was joined by Helen Snelling from the Pendlebury Library of Music, Emily Daws, Stephen Perse Foundation Senior School and Natalie Chabot, St Ivo School.  Joe was resplendent in his cycling lycra, with his hair dyed blue to match and kept the choirs entertained.

CaMEO’s Joe Shaw leading the warm-up

Emily and Natalie were on their first day of a work experience placement with the Faculty of Music, and wearing their CaMEO t-shirts were helping with groups of primary schoolchildren to the Fitzwilliam Museum and then enjoying a good vantage point for the race. Emily commented “Singing with the children and adult choirs on the steps at the front of the Fitzwilliam was an amazing experience – a lively atmosphere filled with music, singing as the cyclists went past”

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpbixb4vlqdyo3i/20140707_115528.mp4?n=299378648

View of the peleton passing the Fitzwilliam Museum

This was a unique event that brought together the entire Cycle of Songs Choir, a number of schools, the Fitzwilliam Museum, and CaMEO to collectively celebrate in song the arrival of the Tour de France in Cambridge.

HS and Natalie Chabot, work experience volunteer.