MANTRA is a song for our times: A statement of intent to overcome prejudice through togetherness…
MANTRA is the closing track of Voices for Reconciliation, a Contemporary Requiem (see below). The track was especially written for Rodney Earl Clarke. ‘Mantra’ is a statement of intent to overcome prejudice through togetherness, a parallel to the unifying message promoted by the world of sport. The song explores Rodney’s extraordinary vocal range and allows him to express the message as a figurehead narrator, inspiring the audience to come together and strive to make a genuine difference at a crucial point in history; a time where we can build the World we wish to live in. Rodney’s voice calls for a ‘better world together’, a “safe and equal space” where all can “raise their heads with pride”. Sport has an essential role in realising the goal of creating a “Mantra” to live our lives by, elevating voices from throughout society in the process, Rodney is the ideal Ambassador to promote this message with his work, not only as a distinguished Musician, but also as an advocate for racial equality.
On Saturday 13th February, Rodney will sing the National Anthem at Twickenham Stadium ahead of the Six Nations clash between England & Italy.
Hailed by Gramophone as a “singer to be watched”, Rodney Earl Clarke is recognised for his versatility in performance. Born is South East London, Rodney enjoyed performing at an early age.
Encouraged by his Jamaican parents and surrounded by three brothers and a sister, Rodney knew from early on that his singing voice was to be a huge part of his life.
From his days as a choir boy at St. George’s Cathedral in Southwark to being a baritone at home with the music of 1930-1960 Broadway, Rodney has appeared in many shows including Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall, London, Jude Kelly’s award winning production of Bernstein’s On The Town, Kenneth Branagh’s epic film version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Sondheim’s 80thBirthday Celebration Prom, The Broadway Sound BBC Prom with the John Wilson Orchestra, Jake in Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle and Crown in Porgy & Bess under the direction of John Doyle with the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen. He starred in Raymond Gubbay’s popular show Crazy for Gershwin which regularly toured the UK and also performed many times on BBC Radio 2 Friday Night Is Music Night, most notably in the David Jacobs Tribute Concert alongside Michael Ball, Gary Williams and Hannah Waddingham.
Having overcome the challenges of having a stutter, Rodney also devotes his time to helping others who face challenges in their communication and speech, using the power of singing to guide them towards greater fluency and confidence in his online platform Singing Speaking.
Anthony and Gaynor Sadler are one of the UK’s most renowned composing teams. Both are graduates of the Royal College of Music London. Anthony studied Composition & Harmony with Herbert Howells, Guitar with Michael Jessett, Advanced Composition and Improvisation Techniques and Aural Training with John Lambert and Conducting with Dr Ruth Gipps; Gaynor studied Singing with Redvers Llewellyn and Margaret Cable, Piano with John Lamport, Repertoire with Sir Roger Vignoles, Advanced Composition, improvisation Techniques and Aural Training with John Lambert.
During their career they have worked with many of the great film directors: Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Mike Newell, Jon Amiel, Martin Campbell, John Dykstra, Ken Russell and Michael Radford, to name a select few.
Anthony & Gaynor have written the sound-tracks to over 3,500 Television Commercials and have won scores of awards for their work including 16 Golds, 36 Silvers and 24 Bronzes across D&AD, BTAA, LIAA, Creative Circle and Royal Television Society, several Clios and Cannes Lions, Gold & Silver Discs, an Ivor Novello (Nomination), a Sony Radio Gold and a BAFTA.
Anthony and Gaynor have worked on hit records as writers, producers and guest artists, with such British acts as Kelly Marie, Talk Talk, Spandau Ballet, ABC, Yes, Orange Juice, Brian Kennedy, Rock legend Suzi Quatro; French Stars Alain Barriere and Francis Cabrel; Spanish Superstar Juan Pardo, Japanese Chart Institution Seiko and the ‘Golden Voice of Prague’, Karel Gott.
Created by Award-winning Composers Anthony & Gaynor Sadler, Voices for Reconciliation is a Contemporary Requiem; an original recording and concert work mixing text, songs and poems spanning three millennia and drawn from different cultures, continents, and epochs. In line with its message promoting Universal Reconciliation, the music is a tapestry of sound woven from Classical, Contemporary and Global influences.
Voices for Reconciliation is of approximately 90 minutes duration and scored for 4 Vocal Soloists plus a Narrator, Chorus & Orchestra.
Voices for Reconciliation is ‘Accessible Opera’: Produced and performed to the highest standard, it is suitable for use in Education, with Youth Groups, Choral Societies, on the Concert Stage, in the Theatre and places of Worship.
Voices for Reconciliation is Classical music that is available to all.
