Musical marvels’ festival hat-trick

ON song . . . three of Crompton House School’s music groups are heading to a prestigious national festival. Pictured are members of the groups, including (front, from the left) Megan Lord from the school orchestra, Leanne Hutchinson from the brass band and Samantha Wright from the swing band

CROMPTON House School has scooped the rare accolade of having three music groups invited to perform at the National Festival of Music for Youth.

The school’s orchestra and brass band will perform at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall in July, while the swing band will play in the Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham Conservatoire, a leading music college.

The school entered six groups, with the orchestra selected after playing at a regional festival in Rochdale in March, and the two bands’ successes resulting from recordings they made in school in February.

The pupils involved are from Years 7 to 13, aged from 12 to 18.

The adjudicators praised the orchestra’s performance of “Manx Dances” by Kenneth Platts, describing it as a mature musical performance.

Crompton House’s director of music, Jack Pickford, said: “This is a great achievement for our pupils. They all work very hard in their own time.

“More than 90 pupils will be in Birmingham representing the school, as well as playing for the music centre groups that have qualified from Oldham and Rochdale.

“A number of pupils have also sung recently at Westminster Abbey in the school choir. They are all very talented.

“I am particularly pleased for the swing band as this is the first time it has entered the competition.”

Head teacher Elsie Tough said: “I am very proud of our musical success.

“Jack Pickford leads a very hard-working and inspirational team of teachers, and the pupils respond wonderfully.

“I know they will play brilliantly in Birmingham. Their last concert at school in April was remarkable. The audience was enthralled.

“I am so pleased to have so many talented musicians in the school.”


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