Tidworth Festival 2009

Christian Moullec will be taking to the skies at Music in Flight this year. Moullec who is also known as "Gooseman", has taught a flock of feathered friends to fly in a v-shaped formation behind his microlight.

The performance is titled Vol avec les Oiseaux or Flight with the Birds. Moullec will be flying in synchronized timing to vocal and orchestra pieces from Saint-Saens' opera Samson & Delilah and will be flying with his flock of graylag geese and Canadian cranes.

Moullec said: "I love to fly with these birds, who now think of me as their parent. To be able to fly with them and to observe them so closely in flight is an incredible privilege. It is difficult to describe the feeling of gliding in the air with geese in regular formation at my side - but there is simply nothing else like it in the world. I first learnt to fly a micro light in order to be able to fly with birds - so to be coming to Wiltshire and sharing this flight is a wonderful opportunity."

With careful training, the birds accept Christian and his micro light and come to consider him as their parent, following him in flight. His first successful flight was in 1996 when he flew across part of France accompanied by 12 barnacle geese.



Christian explained: "It is through this work that myself and my wife Paola have been able to work to save a species of wild goose which is on the brink of becoming extinct by establishing new colonies in other suitable habitats across Europe."
Music in Flight organiser, Ross Mallock, said: "Christian is in demand all round the world, so to have him making a pit stop in the UK just for Music In Flight is fantastically exciting. This is a breathtaking sight and something your eyes simply won't quite believe they are seeing."

Music in Flight is part of the Tidworth Festival which returns in a new and exciting 3 day format in 2009. With music as its enduring theme, it will be staged on a larger, open air site at Perham Down, Tidworth, Wiltshire from 24th - 26th July.

Its opening evening on Friday 24th July will provide the opportunity to relax and enjoy some high-flying entertainment with Music in Flight.

The programme will bring aerial displays by iconic World War II aircraft accompanied by modern planes and gliders, synchronised with music performed by the London Pro Arte Orchestra and the Romsey Choral Society with support from military musicians playing classical and popular music. Further excitement will be provided by the Red Devils parachute display team, hot-air balloons and a spectacular firework display bringing the evening to a moving climax.

On Saturday 25th July Tidworth Festival becomes a rock concert headlined by the legendary rock group Status Quo. The final day, Sunday 26th July, sees the return of an enhanced and action packed Family Fun Day full of variety, there will be something for everyone. The Festival is run by a registered Charity that uses its funds to support local community groups, projects and schools.

For further information and details of ticket sales go to www.tidworthfestival.info
A limited number of Early Bird Tickets at a reduced rate are available now.