Spotlight on Rita

A young trumpeter’s musical journey

Music has the power to transform lives, and for one young student, that transformation began with a trumpet and a special visit from Alina Orchestra’s Band in a Van.

Rita, a student at Henlow Academy, had been eagerly awaiting her very first trumpet lesson. As fate would have it, that same day, Band in a Van arrived at her school, bringing live music to life for students across Central Bedfordshire. The orchestra, a professional ensemble based in Milton Keynes, introduced Rita and her classmates to the joy of live performance and the magic of musical instruments.

“It was the day my trumpet teacher was going to give me my trumpet.”

She was captivated as the musicians performed iconic pieces such as the Imperial March from Star Wars, a theme from Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Last Post in honour of Remembrance Day. Each musician took time to demonstrate their instrument, but it was the brass section that truly stole Rita’s heart.

“The music made me feel happy and relaxed.”

Inspired, she wasted no time getting to grips with her new trumpet at home, proudly learning Jingle Bells and performing it with confidence.

The following Saturday, Rita’s enthusiasm soared even higher when she attended Alina Orchestra’s community performance at Redborne Upper School. Not content to simply watch, she brought along her trumpet and joined in with the band.

“It felt good to play with the band and made me happy inside.”

Now, Rita has her sights set on big dreams:

“I would love to join an orchestra; that would make me the happiest girl.”

For now, she’s dedicated to mastering her instrument, encouraged by her teachers and inspired by the incredible experience of playing alongside professionals.

Rita’s story is a heartwarming reminder of the power of music to unlock potential, spark joy, and shape futures.

This initiative is part of a fantastic partnership between Alina Orchestra and the Hearing and Vision Impairment teams. This tour has provided a wonderful opportunity for students like Rita to engage with live music, develop skills, and experience the magic of orchestral performance. 

We’re excited to continue this collaboration through a new workshop project that will tour schools across the region. This initiative will focus on providing young people in alternative provision settings the chance to build musical skills, play alongside the orchestra, and engage with well-loved repertoire. We look forward to seeing this partnership grow and to creating more opportunities for young musicians in the future.