Multi award-winning singer-songwriter Sam Smith will join an all-star line-up when Oxford Festival of the Arts launches its 2021 season with an online fundraising concert at 2pm on Sunday.
The concert features a stellar line-up including ELIZA, King Krule & Jme Isaac, Westerman, Children of Zeus, Lava la Rue, John Caroll Kirby, Brass for Africa, Miller Blue, The Hackney Colliery Band, Kusekala Kwa Nyungu, Steamdown, a DJ set from Cuppy and more.
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Music for Mustardseed will raise funds for Mustardseed Junior School in Uganda, the partner school of Oxford’s Magdalen College School (MCS).
MCS founded Oxford Festival of the Arts in 2009 and the school remains its principal sponsor.
Singer-songwriter ELIZA said: “Really looking forward to sharing what we’ve been working on. So many great artists have contributed and we’re hoping to spread the word, the love and raise lots of money in order to get the girls and boys in Sentema, Uganda, the education that every child deserves.”
Mustardseed is an eco-sustainable school in a richly bio-diverse environment. MCS raised over £40,000 last year, and the OFA team hopes that Music for Mustardseed will provide extra funds as it welcomes its first pupils in June.
A child at Mustardseed can be educated for just £1 per day and all funds raised by the concert will be match-funded by MCS alumnus Sir Vernon Ellis.
Helen Pike, Master of Magdalen College School, said, “I am excited that the Mustardseed School is about to open, and what better way to celebrate than with this concert!
"Its music bridges in the most joyful way, the miles between MCS and our partner school in Uganda, and I am delighted by the stellar line-up. My thanks to the many artists who have generously agreed to take part in support of this excellent cause.”
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Two friends conceived Mustardseed Junior School: Kenneth Buwule, a Ugandan schoolteacher and scholar of peace and conflict resolution and John Caird, British writer and theatre director (and MCS alumnus).
John Caird said: “Oxford is such a beacon of learning across the globe while the young children in Sentema are struggling to afford even a basic education. Giving them an opportunity to learn will transform their lives and the lives of all their families and wider communities.
"Let’s spread the learning around. Let’s share what we know and what we have with those who will treasure it all their lives.”
Music For Mustardseed is free to watch and viewers will be encouraged to text to donate while they enjoy the concert. The link to view is https://www.mixcloud.com/live/MusicForMustardseed/
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