Kentish Express Ashford & District
Young musicians prepare for summer spectacular
Talented young musicians have been preparing for their big summer concert with a series of rehearsals at Ashford School.
The Kent County Youth Orchestra (KCYO), conducted by Caroline Hobbs-Smith, will perform at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, August 27.
The orchestra will perform two pieces by Leonard Bernstein, Overture, Candide and Suite, On the Waterfront and Aaron Copland’s Suite, Billy the Kid.
The concert will finish with a spectacular performance of Pictures at an Exhibition by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky.
The piece features 10 movements inspired by a visit to an art exhibition, which each represent one of the drawings or artworks on display.
Although originally composed in 1874 for solo piano, the piece became better known in orchestral form, particularly by French composer Maurice Ravel in 1922.
Caroline Hobbs-Smith is conducting the orchestra for the second time after a successful concert last year at the Winter Gardens, in Margate.
South African-born flautist Caroline has always been passionate about youth music, particularly orchestral.
She began learning the flute aged 13 and performed as a soloist in the Johannesburg Concerto Festival two years later.
She graduated from the Royal College of Music, in London ni 1989, has played with the National Symphony Orchestra in South Africa and has established the National School of the Arts Orchestra.
She now lives in the UK where she regularly performs, teaches and conducts.
Tickets for the show are £15 and for more details call 01622 691212 or visit www. kent-music.com or call 01622 691212.