Multi-award-winner Sam Smith to headline Music for Mustardseed concert
Singer songwriter Sam Smith will join an all-star line-up this Sunday, when Oxford Festival of the Arts launches its 2021 season with an online fundraising concert at 2pm.
Music for Mustardseed will raise funds for Mustardseed Junior School in Uganda, the partner school of Magdalen College School.
The concert features a stellar line-up of contemporary music stars 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.
One of the concert’s headline acts, 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.”
The Festival’s Director Dr Michelle Castelletti commented, “In a year such as the one we have been through, one looks at the more meaningful things in life. Mustardseed School is one beautiful example of MCS’ ethos in practice and I wanted to find a way for the festival to embrace this, as I believe that it will truly make a difference to children’s lives. It is a privilege to be playing a small part in a project with such deep humanitarian (and ecological) values. These are the projects I never forget. The children in Sentema exude genuine joy. I hope we can match that joy with our music!”
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 Mustardseed welcomes their first pupils in June. A child at Mustardseed can be educated for just £1 per day.
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.”
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. John Caird said, “I’m so thrilled that the Oxford community have taken the Mustardseed School project to its heart. 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/ it goes live at 2pm on Sunday May 16th.
