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Roger Waters supporting Cambridge charity project

Written by Matt

Wednesday, 31 August 2005

The Cambridge Evening News and local charity Escape Artists are delighted with Roger Waters' support of their latest project.

Cambridge Cantata, "a celebration of the city's life, people and culture" by composer Simon Gunton, looks at the history of the University city. The choir of King's College Chapel will be joined by award-winning instrumentalists Cantata Collective for the world premiere of the piece. It is a fusion of classical, rock, jazz and blues music, and includes a reworking of the Pink Floyd classic, Grantchester Meadows, Roger's tribute to the peaceful paradise of the Meadows on a summer afternoon.

Escape Artists approached Roger's management company to see if they could use the song. Permission was granted; Roger then expressed an interest in finding out more about the project and the work of Escape Artists, which resulted in him becoming a patron of the charity in July 2005.

Escape Artists director Matthew Taylor said: "[We use] the arts to help people with mental health issues back into the mainstream and having a patron of the stature of Roger Waters will help us immensely. Roger was born and brought up in Cambridge and, through his work and life with Syd Barrett in the early days of Pink Floyd, has a good understanding of the enormous difficulties that mental illness can cause."

Speaking about his new role, Waters said: "I've always had a strong affinity with Cambridge, both through my own life and my time with Syd. His was an immense talent cut cruelly short. The work Escape Artists do in helping people with mental issues regain their confidence through music is invaluable and the Cantata is a high profile example of what can be achieved."

Cambridge Cantata will be performed at King's College Chapel on Sunday, September 25th, at 7.30pm. Tickets, at £5-£30, are available from (01223) 412695, or from www.escapeartists.co.uk.