Pupils in tune with musicians
ORCHESTRAL CONCERTS A SYMPHONY OF MUSICAL SUCCESS
A musical partnership between city school pupils and some of the world’s finest musicians took to the stage at Sunderland’s Empire Theatre.
Two concerts were the result of months of planning and rehearsals by Wearside pupils with musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and organised through Orchestras Live.
The aim is to create more opportunities for children and young people with extra educational needs to get involved with orchestral music.
Since January, 17 pupils from Sandhill View and Southmoor academies, and Sunderland Empire’s Curious Connections youth theatre group, have been in workshops with staff from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sunderland Empire.
The unique experience saw the young people from Sunderland produce, prosations, gramme and present both the two full orchestra schools concerts and a performance of a chamber orchestra.
Sunderland City Council Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Councillor Louise Farthing, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for children and young people in our city, not only to develop their musical talent, but also to display their organisational skills working alongside the professionals staging concerts at Sunderland’s Empire Theatre. We want to provide every pupil in every school in our city with the chance to achieve their full potential, and this music project is playing a great role in this on-going process.”
All the schools taking part are involved with the Sunderland Music Hub, which delivers music education opportunities on behalf of the city council.
The hub works with schools, youth music groups and a wide range of organi- ensuring children and young people have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and develop and progress their skills and talents.
Rebecca Pedlow, manager of the hub, said: “We are delighted the council has been able to support bringing this major national project to Sunderland, one of only six areas across the country.”
Partnership manager with Orchestras Live, Stuart Bruce, said: “The project is truly inclusive, putting young people at the heart of producing as well as experiencing live music events with a world-class orchestra.”