Youngsters sing around world

Scores of young people, local players and musicians took part in a musical extravaganza in Whittlesey.
Some of the youngsters taking part in the Image:Whittlesey concert.Some of the youngsters taking part in the Image:Whittlesey concert.
Some of the youngsters taking part in the Image:Whittlesey concert.

Called Imagine:Whittlesey, the concert was hosted by Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey.

More than 90 young people, local players and musicians from the Grand Union Orchestra, took part in the event with rehearsals taking place over February and March.

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The concert was the culmination of a six-month project organised by Market Place working in partnership with 20Twenty Productions and Cambridgeshire Music Partnership.

The Grand Union Orchestra musicians worked closely with children from Coates Primary School, Park Lane Primary School, and Sir Harry Smith Community College as well as local adult musicians from the Whittlesey Wind Ensemble to explore in music stories of land, sea, and myths from around the world.

Children enjoyed learning new rhythms and sounds, exploring music from around the globe, and learning to play new pieces on a range of instruments.

Grand Union Orchestra project leader, Shanti Jayasinha said: “It’s evenings like this that remind me how amazing it is to create musical experiences with young people - all of the children gave 100 per cent in the performance and achieved more than I could have imagined.

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“They improvised on an Indian raag, played African drums, Reggae, Brazilian Samba, Bhangra and sung their hearts out - even encouraging the audience to try and match them.

“It was a truly memorable event.”

Park Lane Primary School teacher Sue Bradshaw said: “The atmosphere was electric as parents and members of the community joined us in a celebration of world music.”

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