Children charged with changing the tune in broken orchestra experience
Fixing a broken orchestra is the challenge for hundreds of schoolchildren in an award-nominated music event aimed at inspiring more young people to learn an instrument.
The Wish is a participatory event at The Grove Theatre on Tuesday April 30 that will include elements of theatre and singing.
Children will help composer John K Miles and professional orchestra Sinfonia Verdi to play a piece of music properly, learning as they go.
Led by specialist music presenter, Claire Henry, the children will check each section of the orchestra to find out what’s wrong.
They will be introduced to essential aspects, such as tone and pitch and will then be shown skills to help manipulate which, section-by-section, will help transform the piece.
This will be the return of The Wish to Dunstable after last year when it was nominated for the Outstanding Classical Music Education Initiative Award in the 2019 Music Teacher Awards for Excellence.
Central Bedfordshire Council’s Inspiring Music Director, Charlotte Payne, said: “Our aim is to inspire children through music and, ultimately, to take up an instrument.
“Involving children in an interactive and fun way, is a tremendous introduction and creative spark for young people, many of whom won’t have had the opportunity to see a live orchestra before.
“So, we’re delighted to be part of The Wish’s return to Dunstable’s Grove Theatre after it was such a success last year.
“We’re also working with our neighbouring council music services from Luton, Bedford and Milton Keynes to give this unique experience to as many children as possible.”
Produced by music charity Orchestras Live in partnership with Inspiring Music, The Wish will see children from 18 schools across Bedfordshire participate in a series of workshops before the event at The Grove Theatre.
In addition, advanced young musicians from Central Bedfordshire will join Sinfonia Verdi on stage, gaining experience of performing alongside professional players while acting as role models for the young audiences.
Stuart Bruce, Partnership Manager of Orchestras Live, said: “The Wish has been enjoyed by many children in the last couple of years, and this year’s tour is the biggest yet. I’m really looking forward to seeing the excited young audiences as they help our presenters to fix the broken orchestra machine.”
