Well, what a super week we had with a return to live concerts for our ensembles. The theme of the week? ‘Be Inspired’.
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udging by the reactions of pupils and parents alike, the performances of our young people were every bit as inspiring as we knew they would be. All 13 of our ensembles transferred from their weekly rehearsal rooms at Music School to their performance spaces. For the Rock ‘n’ Pop groups and the choir, that was the Centre Stage hall with it’s authentic lighting rig and sound system and, for all the other groups, that was the theatre at Colton Hills School
which gave the audience and the performers alike a wonderful view of all involved. The younger groups were teamed up with our more advanced players which meant that, for the first time in many years, we had our flagship Youth Orchestra and Youth Wind Orchestra playing alongside and inspiring those at the start of their musical progression.
The concert included a varied range of music from New Order’s 80s dance track, ‘Blue Monday’, to film music by Hans Zimmer and John Williams and from Irish and Jewish folk songs to Saint-Saens’ French Military March, played with great aplomb by the Youth Wind Orchestra. The Youth Orchestra finished the concert series on Friday night with a very atmospheric rendition of ‘Earth’ by Hans Zimmer, a celebration of the beauty of the planet we live on.
From a parent: Just wanted to say that the concert on Wednesday and Friday were really good and I thoroughly enjoyed both evenings … In fact it was amazing, I came away feeling inspired myself… Finally, just wanted to thank all the teachers that have work hard to put the concert together, you all were fantastic and your dedication clearly shows when great concerts are put together like this one.
Music Service is so pleased to be able to bring these authentic performance opportunities to the young people we work with. Their hard work and resilience should be acknowledged and celebrated and we continue to welcome new members from across the city. There is no cost to parents in order that this opportunity is accessible by all and we hope to bring news next term of additional Music School groups starting in September.