Halle-lujah

Halle Orchestra players (centre) on stage with some of Oldham’s best young musicians.

Chorus of approval for link with local schools
SOME of Oldham’s most talented young musicians came together to give a concert alongside performers from the world-class Halle Orchestra.

The event, at the Radclyffe School, Chadderton, was the culmination of one of the Manchester-based orchestra’s flagship education projects.

The Halle joined ranks with Oldham Music Service in an “Adopt a Player” scheme, where musicians worked with children in schools to inspire a love of music.

Werneth Primary School harnessed the talents of violinist Sarah Ewins, viola player Robert Criswell worked with children at Stanley Road Community Primary School, Rachel Meerloo, double bass player, was adopted by Yew Tree Community School, and horn player Julian Plummer was drafted in by the Radclyffe School.

In all, 100 children took part in the project, giving them an insight into the world of the professional musician, with a visit to the home of the Halle at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall.

For many, it was their first experience of seeing a professional symphony orchestra and visiting one of the UK’s finest concert halls.

They were treated to a concert by the Halle, which included Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

The adopted musicians then helped the youngsters create their own compositions based on the same piece.

The project culminated on Monday with children from all four schools and Halle musicians performing for family and friends at an evening concert at the Radclyffe School.

The concert involved each school playing a section, interspersed with music from the Halle musicians, to create one continuous performance.

Steve Pickett, education director at the Halle, said: “The project inspired the children and released their creativity, and their teachers said they had seen such a difference side to the classes.

“The children have a good grounding from Oldham Music Service, and we deliver the cherry on the cake.”