At their annual November concert, the music school's student bands and orchestras played to a packed house. Split over two nights, the pieces were received with rapturous applause.

 

On Wednesday 28th of November, the concert at Ilford County High School was set off with a thunderous offer from the Intermediate Orchestra, who opened the concert with a Tchaikovsky March and the so go from Chicago. They are followed by Junior Wind Band who finished their set with a punchy arrangement of the theme from Mission Impossible. Next up was Brass Band, with a martial, marching Williams theme. The night was finished by the Symphonic Band playing an arrangement of the songs from Les Misérables

 

"It's just such a lovely event," said one audience member at the end of the show. "All of these young musicians have put on a wonderful show - it just makes me wish that I had had the chance to learn a musical instrument when I was younger."

 

And, as the audience was reminded on the night, this is an opportunity which may soon be on danger.

 

The Redbridge Music Service's funding is being cut by £841,000 over three years as part of wider cuts by the council. This will mean that the Service's vital work may be unable to continue, taking these precious opportunities away from future students.

 

The second concert took place on the 29th November. It began with the Junior String Orchestra, with a set of lively pieces. Intermediate Wind Band followed, with an eclectic mix of pieces. Finally Symphony Orchestra ended the night with a bang, and an impressive show of string power!

 

Overall, the concerts were a rousing success - and a great night for all involved.