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The Hexham-based arts charity, the Samling Foundation brought the Southbank Sinfonia, their music director Simon Over and soprano Fiona Duncan to the town for workshops with local schoolchildren during the festival. The project, supported by the Gillian Dickinson Charitable Trust, culminated in the concert that opened this year's Hexham Abbey Festival on Thursday, September 16, and produced such a feast of young musical talent. For 24 children in years three and four at Sele First School, the prospect of meeting and working with the Southbank Sinfonia kick-started a project based on Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animal, which included the visual arts. Some of the children's work is on display in the north transept of the Abbey throughout the festival. The children were introduced to the orchestra, to the instruments in each section and were treated to a performance of the movements of Saint-Saëns' music before going to work on the actual dances, rehearsals and performances.
"When I was approached by Karon Wright, artistic director of the Samling Foundation, to take part in this project it took me about four seconds to say yes. I knew it would be a really special project. "Bringing children from across the age ranges together has been fantastic." Mrs Anderson added: "Working with such an enthusiastic group of professional young musicians was brilliant because there was a great atmosphere which the children really responded to. "It will be an experience that the children will remember for a long time to come." At St Joseph's Middle School it was the 63-strong choir that took centre stage in the project to work on three pieces with Samling scholar Fiona Duncan, accompanied by Southbank Sinfonia.
Throughout the three days of workshops the children were given first-hand experience of how an orchestra functions, and the role of each section of instruments. But more importantly for them, they experienced how an orchestra works with a soloist and choir.
"There were a lot of workshops with the two orchestras playing side by side, chamber coaching and brass improvisation," said Karon Wright. Emma, a 15-year old cellist from QEHS, said: "It was a lot of hard work but I'm glad I've done it. "The musicians were full of energy and really helpful. It's been a fantastic experience and one I would definitely love to repeat." "It came as a bit of a shock when they said our first performance would be with a London orchestra at the Abbey Festival but it was an opportunity that doesn't come round every day so I jumped at the chance.
One of the stars of the Abbey concert, which also celebrated Queen Elizabeth High School becoming a performing arts college, was 18-year old Andrew Passmore, who left the high school in the summer. A talented young organist, he studied at the Abbey for four years under director of music Michael Haynes. Andrew said: "It was the first time I have ever played with a professional orchestra. It was a bit nerve-wracking but what a fantastic experience! "The Samling Foundation should be applauded for providing this kind of opportunity for young people." Earlier on Thursday the Southbank Sinfonia treated pupils of Sele First School to a lunch time concert from the bandstand in the Abbey grounds of music by Mozart and from the Wizard of Oz, deputy mayor, Count. Barry Pickering, welcomed the orchestra to Hexham and brought the concert to a rousing close involved the children, parents, teachers and passers-by. |
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Head teacher Maggie Anderson, who choreographed the dances, said: "The children were absolutely fascinated with the orchestra and at times forgot to dance, but once they got used to it they really tuned into the music and worked really hard.
For Queen Elizabeth High School's orchestra it was a chance to play with, and observe, how a professional orchestra interacts.
"It has been really exciting and challenging and I've learnt so much. I've always though about a career in music and this experience has made me realise that playing professionally in an orchestra is what I want to do."