A Lullaby for Future Generations of Plunket Babies

23 April 2007

A Lullaby for Future

Generations of Plunket Babies

Poet Bill Manhire and composer Eve de Castro-Robinson have combined their talents to create a new musical piece, incorporating a lullaby, to celebrate Plunket's centenary.

These Arms to Hold You will be performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Lyrica children's choir and will premier at the Made in New Zealand concert in Wellington on 25 May.

Kaye Crowther, New Zealand President of Plunket, said the commission was a wonderful way to celebrate a milestone in the health and care of children and their families.

"As parents we sing lullabies, nursery rhymes and family-favourite songs to our children, virtually from their birth. Our children experiment with music from an early age, often their first 'musical instrument' a spoon and cooking pot, creating their version of a drum. Later music lessons become part of family life for many as children learn the piano, violin, guitar and other musical instruments.

"We felt it important that this special a piece of music involve children, yet appeal to children and adults alike.

"That Bill Manhire, Eve de Castro-Robinson and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra are involved in These Arms to Hold You, is a tribute to Plunket and the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who have worked so hard to improve the health and care of children over the last century and into the next," said Kaye Crowther.

The 36-voice Lyrica choir from Wellington's Kelburn Normal School will accompany the NZSO during its subscription series tour in June, and will see the children singing These Arms to Hold You to audiences in Hamilton, Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington.

ENDS

© Scoop Media