19 June 2012

Claypotts Castle pupils to welcome The Dalai Lama in sign

A unique children's choir, who sign rather than sing will help provide the entertainment when His Holiness The Dalai Lama visits Dundee for the first time this week.

The Signing Choir from Claypotts Castle Primary have been widely praised for their work in promoting inclusivity, and performed at this year's Scottish Labour Party Conference at the Caird Hall.

They will return to the same venue on Friday, June 22nd to help welcome The Dalai Lama to the city as part of his UK tour. The pupils will take to the stage with Scottish opera singer Martin Aelred to perform "Time To Say Goodbye".

The Dalai Lama is visiting the city as a guest of the University of Dundee and Dundee City Council, and will deliver this year's Margaret Harris Lecture on Religion.

His talk, 'Education of The Heart: a new world order of compassion' will be delivered to a sold-out crowd.

The choir comprises pupils from Primary 5-7, as well as two former pupils who have moved on to Craigie High School but who continue to be involved. A Hearing Impaired Unit is based at Claypotts Castle and the choir was the idea of the former deputy head of the multi-sensory service, Linda Geekie.

"The choir has been very popular with the children since it started, and they are all really excited at performing when The Dalai Lama visits Dundee next week," she said. "They've performed at quite a few events in the past, such as the Lord Provost's Youth Parade and the Labour Party conference but this might be the biggest one yet.

"Usually, we hold weekly practices but we've been holding extra rehearsals in the run up to the event. As Martin will be singing in Italian, the choir have had to get their heads around a different language being their trigger for signing.

"The choir consists of both hearing and non-hearing pupils and is an important part of our inclusive practices programme at the school. It's a fantastic way for them to have a better understanding of each other and to form friendships."

Details about the choir will also feature in a specially produced booklet alongside information about all community groups and individuals helping to mark the occasion. The booklet will be presented to His Holiness as a memento of his time in the city, along with a copy of 'The Dalai Lama's Welcome to Dundee', a bagpipe piece written and performed by University student Craig Weir.

Former builder Martin Aelred is an exceptionally talented, largely self-taught singer who has worked with major orchestras both at home and abroad. He has a passionate following in the UK, and recently performed before Prince Charles with an Ayrshire singing group of Alzheimer's sufferers.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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