More than 140 children from eight Essex primary schools were introduced to the different parts and sounds of the orchestra at a concert aimed at engaging them with music performance through storytelling at Felsted School.
Pupils from Stebbing Primary, Lyons Hall Primary, Dunmow St Mary’s, Dunmow Primary, HRS Primary, Rayne Primary, Shalford Primary and Flitch Green Academy attended a ‘Meet the Orchestra’ concert designed specifically for them at the independent boarding and day school in north Essex.
The young audience listened intently to a programme that focused on storytelling through music and included well-known themes from ‘Thunderbirds’, Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker, and a medley of under-the-sea movie favourites, all expertly performed by Felsted’s Senior Orchestra, consisting of pupils aged 13 to 18.
A highlight of the concert was a performance of Julia Donaldson’s ‘The Scarecrows’ Wedding’ narrated by Felsted Modern Languages teacher Nicola O’Brien and interspersed with dramatic orchestral music composed specifically for the event by Felsted Graduate Resident Music Assistant Ewan Cacace.
Sousa’s ‘The Liberty Bell March’ ended the event on a triumphant note.
Said William Warns, Director of Music at Felsted: ‘Our young audience was completely entranced by the sights and sounds of a live orchestra and left inspired to try music-making for themselves. It was a real privilege to share the joy of music with them. Experiencing live music is hugely beneficial for young people, and it is so important that they have opportunities to engage with it firsthand.’
Felsted invites members of the local community to attend performing arts events at the school throughout the year and students regularly perform for audiences across the region. Indeed, the work of Felsted School to support young musicians both at Felsted and in the local community was awarded a national Music Mark of Recognition for Dedication & Improvement earlier this academic year – an award that celebrates schools that provide equitable, diverse, and accessible music education for every young person at such events as this.
The school has a rich tradition of music and its own professional standard concert hall on-campus, as well as rehearsal spaces and music practice rooms. Scholarships are awarded to pupils who show musical promise and the school offers individual and small-group instrumental lessons and also has a close connection with the London Guildhall School of Music to bring conservatoire-standard music tuition. Many former Felsted pupils have gone on to enjoy professional careers in the performing arts, from the global stage to the screen. Among them, in the world of classical music leadership, John Alldis achieved international acclaim as Chorus Master of the London Philharmonic Choir and a double Grammy Award winner, while John Sanders OBE is celebrated for his distinguished career as a composer and cathedral organist at Gloucester Cathedral. More recently Jeremy Holland-Smith has worked on major film productions including Wonka, and has contributed to acclaimed scores across film, television and the West End. Esme Smith has also gained recognition as an award-winning classical singer, named Essex Young Musician of the Year. To find out more about entry into Felsted, book an individual tour or an upcoming Open Event at www.felsted.org/opendays.
For further information or comment, please telephone the Felsted Marketing Department on 01371 822647 or email marketing@felsted.org
