THE beautiful parkland at a Worcestershire country mansion will be echoing to the sound of a thousand voices this week as children and adults from across the county gather for an artistic extravaganza.

And the event called Riversfest at Croome Court on Friday July 1 promises to be the perfect place for families to enjoy a packed bill of singing and dancing, a stroll around the grounds shaped by legendary landscaper Capability Brown and a picnic.

It is the brainchild of Paula Evans - professional singer and Director of Music at the Rivers Academy C or E Trust, Worcester, which embraces four schools – St Clement’s C of E School, St John’s, Worcester; Cutnall Green First School; Heronswood Primary School, Kidderminster; and Grat Witley C or E Primary School.

Paula explained: “I wanted to provide an opportunity for the children at Rivers Academy to perform together and also with adult choirs. There will be four older choirs and it a performance opportunity for them.”

Professional staging and sound equipment is being used to present the show which starts at 2pm and goes on into the evening. It will start with children – about 700 - from the academy’s schools coming together to perform for the audience. There will also be other choirs performing, dance displays, a performance of Roald Dahl’s Matilda and a grand finale when all the singers perform together.

There will be a chance for visitors to take a stroll around Croome park and enjoy a picnic while sitting in the estate grounds. Tickets can be bought for the whole event or just the evening performance.

The adult choirs involved are the celebrated Warwickshire choir called Tarantara directed by Jonathan Hill; the new Pershore and Worcester-based VocalHigh! Groups and the University of the Third Age choir.

Paula said: “By the end of the evening we will have all the children and all the adults, about a thousand of them, singing together. We are very excited. I am passionate about learning and the benefits of singing and music and dancing.”

She said it helps people with their confidence and being involved with other people. She said some people think singing is frivolous fun but it can really help some people who have difficulty engaging.

The performances take place on the 11-acre North Lawn directly in front of the National Trust mansion – former home to the 6th Earl of Coventry.

Another feature of the event is a song called “Mr Capability” created by local composer Chris Long. He was commissioned by the National Trust to write a song celebrating the work of the great British landscaper who designed more than 200 gardens for the stately homes of England during the 18th century. This year is the 300th anniversary of his birth.

Tickets for the event are available online from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/riversfestcroome-tickets-24587237088 or http://vocalhigh.weebly.com/riversfest.html or by ringing Paula Evans on 07709953475

Anyone wanting to have a picnic should bring their own outdoor chairs/seats or picnic blankets – plus their own food and drink.