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Fiona Bruce, Member of Parliament for Congleton Constituency, attended the London premiere of Andy Scott’s New Music Biennial commission, and has some fantastic words to say about the piece. The work, A Child Like You, was performed at Southbank Centre on 6 July by Foden’s Band with soprano Anna-Clare Monk, harpist Lauren Scott and four members of Foden’s Youth Band, conducted by Michael Fowles. Immediately following the performance, Fiona Bruce issued a press release about the event, in which she shares her reaction to the powerful and moving work. The press release explains that “this dramatic piece is a fifteen minute mini opera. It tells the story of a seventeen year old Ugandan Asian refugee, taken in by the family of composer Andy Scott – when Andy himself was under ten years old – to help the young Ugandan Asian refugee escape the brutal regime of Idi Amin. It tells Andy’s foster brother’s story from Uganda to refugee camps in the UK to living with his new family, weaving together original text and music.” Fiona Bruce said “This was a complex and dramatic piece, which vividly stirred compassionate thoughts and emotions about the challenges faced by children losing their homeland and having to start life again in a completely strange environment and culture. It was a privilege to attend this prestigious event. The powerful, creative work and the sensitive dramatic way in which Foden’s interpreted it showed yet another dimension of Foden’s musical versatility. The whole performance was received extremely well by the audience, in fact, so much so, it was played twice! It made me very proud to represent Sandbach as Member of Parliament. I was particularly interested to learn that excerpts from a speech in Parliament from the 1970s were woven into the text. It was also wonderful to meet Andy’s foster brother who also attended the performance.” Fiona Bruce is MP for Congleton, which includes Sandbach where both Andy and Foden’s are based. Click to visit the Projects section of this website for more information about the New Music Biennial commission Click to visit the PRS for Music Foundation New Music Biennial website 
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