Talented young musicians from Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Music Service have shone at a recent special concert in Wiltshire.
The aspiring musicians performed a selection of pieces to a near-capacity audience at the Wiltshire Music Centre on Sunday 29th June.
Their performance included the finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Handel’s Zadock the Priest, Psalms Project ‘Do Not Be Far’ by the Bathcomposer Steven Faux, plus a wide variety of contemporary music from composers such as Eric Whitacre, Adam Gorb and Nigel Hess.
Ensembles such as the Schools Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Band performed alongside others such as Cantilena and Brass Tacks. Incantation and Flutes Galore provided further interval music.
The concert was attended by the Chairman of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Councillor Martin Veal.
He said: “This was a tour de force of talent, musicality and dedication. Brass, wind, strings, percussion and voices had a cohesion and strength beyond their tender years. The epic finale of orchestra and voices was as uplifting for the audience as it clearly fun for the musicians.”
The Council’s Music Service also received abundant feedback, through emails, complimenting the young musicians.
These included: “It was an avalanche of musical talent that just kept rolling to the very last note – from the youngest instrumentalist to the oldest vocalist; the performers gave their very best!”
“For us, it has been lovely to see the confidence of our children develop since being part of their different groups and their obvious enjoyment at attending the rehearsals each week.”
Councillor Dine Romero (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth said: “This performance has been such an amazing opportunity for the students which I’m sure they’ll never forget.
“Bath and North East Somerset Council is committed to providing every child aged 5-18 with the opportunity to enjoy music, whether they want to sing, learn an orchestral instrument or play in a band.
“Being involved with music can really benefit children – through improved behaviour, self-confidence, concentration and the ability to participate in team work.”
Most of the music ensembles meet for a number of weeks during term-time learning new pieces and widening their skills before performing in concerts three times a year to denote their development.
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Music Service provides tuition in schools for small groups and one-to-one lessons with qualified music teachers for around 2,500 pupils each week during term-time.
400 young people also attend the four local music centres each week. This includes a youth choir; music time for ages 5-7; wind bands and a full symphony orchestra.