Community Life

The world comes to Devon was the theme of the 2007 Mix XL school music festival which brought together over 100 musical concerts, workshops and performances from every corner of the globe.

The festival, which took place at Westpoint, Exeter, on Wednesday 27 June, also showcased some of Devon's brightest young musical talent.

Organised by Devon County Council's Music Service, it introduces young people to music from a wide range of different cultures from the American West to the Australian outback.

As well as the visiting artists, young people from schools across Devon performed their own music throughout the day.

"We had 14 marquees around the Westpoint showground where youngsters performed alongside nine visiting artists from around the world," explained Mix XL coordinator Sally Raynes.

"Each artist gave a performance and then ran workshops with school groups.

"Both gospel and ukulele music became much more popular around Devon following previous festivals where youngsters were involved in workshops."

Schools taking part included Decoy Primary, who performed songs from their production Rats, Loddiswell Primary performed 'songs from the plantations', and Tiverton High School Jazz Band.

Ipplepen Primary School performed ocarina tunes and a percussion poem, and Withycombe Raleigh Primary returned to the festival with their junk band, Withycombe Stomp.

Devon Music Service head Ken Parr said: "This is a real musical extravaganza, and a fantastic opportunity for schools to come together to learn, enjoy and celebrate the musical diversity the world has to offer.

"The success of the festival is underpinned by the commitment and enthusiasm of the performers and schools involved, and the result is a lively, entertaining and exciting mix of talent."

The climax of Mix XL was The Big Sing, when the entire festival joined in Bob Marley's 'Three Little Birds', 'Everybody Think of Sunshine' by Elfyn Jones, and 'O-re-mi', a traditional Nigerian song.

Attractions at this year's festival included:

• Mexteca – a vibrant and lively Mariachi band
• Burning Bush – traditional Jewish music
• Oojami – Sufi dancers pulsating to Turkish tribal beats
• American West – traditional native American dancers
• Lauren MacColl – Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner
• The Band Of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Britannia Royal Naval College
• Chris Holland – Didgeridoo player
• Chinese traditional dance workshop
• The Fringe marquee for aspiring singer-songwriters and bands
• Urban Zone – beat-box, breakdance and MC workshop
• Drum and Guitar Zones