Some 75 members of the Wolverhampton Music Service’s Youth Orchestra and Youth Wind Orchestra will participate in music festivals at prestigious venues around the Palencia region, performing an eclectic mix of music by Holst, Rossini, Borodin, Sparke, Smetana and Kabalevsky.
Before departing, the young people - all pupils at schools in Wolverhampton - gave a performance at St John’s in the Square Church on Friday night, attended by the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Claire Darke and Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills.
Mayor Councillor Darke extended her thanks to the young musicians as ambassadors of the Music Service and the city of Wolverhampton.
She said: "I am sure I speak for everyone when I say this concert gave us the perfect opportunity to applaud the talents and commitment of both our young musicians and their teachers and to acknowledge the support of parents.
"My congratulations and best wishes for the future go to all of them; in particular, special mention must be made of our Young Musician of the Year Janey Harold, playing Kabalevsky’s Cello Concerto."
Friday's concert, and the tour itself, has received valuable sponsorship from The James Beattie Charitable Trust, fbc Manby Bowdler Solicitors and Wolverhampton’s six Rotary Clubs; Bilston and Wolverhampton West, Tettenhall, Wednesfield, Willenhall, Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton St George’s.
Councillor Dr Hardacre said: “Every year the two orchestras take part in a foreign tour at the start of the summer break.
"Music is an important part of a young person's education, and Wolverhampton Music Service provides quality teaching for children and young people across the city.
“On Friday, I had the privilege of being able to hear the concert programme that the orchestras will be taking on tour – they will be superb ambassadors for the city and for its artistic abilities.”
Wolverhampton Music Service provides tuition and musical opportunities for youngsters from schools across the city, including the chance to perform with Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra and Wolverhampton Youth Wind Orchestra. To find out more, please visit Wolverhampton Music School.
