School orchestra’s peak performance

Jane conducts the Crompton House Junior Orchestra.

AN Oldham Council string tutor has helped a school’s orchestra reach performance level standard.

Jane Brammall, from Oldham Music Centre, has been working closely with Shaw’s Crompton House Junior Orchestra.

She is delighted with the orchestra’s progress and the youngsters have now taken their skills into other schools across the borough, and played concerts at East Crompton St James’ School and Broadfield Primary School in Oldham.

The concerts were designed to inspire primary school children to take up an instrument and also gave the Crompton House youngsters the opportunity of showcasing their talents in public.


Television harmony

Young musicians from Oldham feature in a new TV series which starts on Sunday.

Orchestra United (Channel 4, 7pm) follows the formation of the Halle Harmony Youth Orchestra.

The final orchestra players include around 10 from Oldham. Among the soloists are Faz Shah, from Coppice, a violinist and beat boxer who is chosen to lead the second violin section.

Highs

The Halle Harmony Youth Orchestra project, supported by Oldham, Bolton, Manchester and Stockport councils, has been running for a year.

A TV crew has followed members in concerts and in their homes, capturing the highs and lows of their progress from the auditions.