An orchestra of strings is in full flow at Ingestre this weekend: 35 young musicians accompanied by 8 professional music teachers from Entrust (Music and Performing Arts Service for Staffordshire and beyond) are exploring a range of challenging but beautifully arranged pieces including; Tribal Dance (Brian Balmages), Capriol (Peter Warlock), Fiesta (Shiela Nelson), Allegretto (Sebastian H. Brown) and a lively version of Drowsy Maggie (Trad.).
I’m lucky enough to see them seriously enjoying the Ingestre experience and Sean Omer (Conductor) agrees – “when kids first come here they’re apprehensive, nervous and and don’t know each other, by the time they leave they’re best friends – it’s a bonding experience through music”. Although clearly enjoying the social experience, the music is being developed to a very high standard and the proof will be clearly visible during the final performance at 1.30 today (19th May)
Everyone’s having a ball and the opportunity to build trust, respect and working relationships between teachers and students outside of the traditional school environment is captured in what students are saying; “the teachers are amazing, they’re really helpful and have loads of knowledge and experience, we’re being introduced to new repertoire, its challenging, fast and not what were used to but it’s great developing music skills with new friends”.
I’m really pleased the group are making the most of our main hall – it’s a fitting environment for the experience of rehearsing and performing as a string orchestra. I’m very much looking forward to the next Entrust group visit and to continuing to deliver high quality and innovative performing arts programmes with young people from across the UK, fortunately the young musicians feel the same; “we would love to come again – it’s becoming a fantastic tradition for us”.
Felix Pepler – Head of Centre