Young musicians make history

SOME of Oldham’s most talented young musicians have made history by taking part in the new Halle Harmony Youth Orchestra’s first concert.

A total of 23 of the orchestra’s 80 musicians are from the Oldham area, and were selected in a stiff recruitment process of more than 350 open auditions.

The result was a spectacular concert at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, at which two young Oldham boys starred as soloists.

Trumpeter Andrew Ashworth and violinist Farhaan Shah shared the honour before a packed audience.

The pair and their fellow musicians were interviewed about their experiences on film by Diverse Productions, for four documentary-style programmes to be broadcast by Channel 4 later this year.

The shows follow the journey from auditions through to the final concert, in a bid to show how music has the power to transform lives, unite communities and aid social change.

The involvement of Oldham’s talented youth has been backed by both Oldham Music Service and Oldham Council.

Gerard Booth, director of Oldham Music Service, said: “The service has an excellent professional relationship with the Hallé and I was thrilled with the standard of performance at the concert.

“I was also really proud to see so many young people from Oldham sitting in the massed ranks of the orchestra.”

Mr Booth added: “Playing at the Bridgewater Hall was a daunting, yet exciting prospect for all involved and they received a standing ovation from the 1,600-strong crowd.

“Andrew Ashworth and Farhaan Shah rose to the challenge and did exceptionally well when they performed their solos.”