West Sussex Music celebrated an uplifting and inspiring musical milestone on Saturday 7 February, as two of its most inclusive ensembles Orchestras Inc. and TOP26 came together for a special joint performance in Worthing.
The event brought together young people from very different musical starting points, united by a shared love of music-making. Orchestras Inc. is a music group for SEND musicians aged up to 25. Meanwhile, the Tomorrow’s Orchestra Programme (TOP26) is a beginners instrumental learning project for children between 7 yrs and 11 yrs old.
The collaboration created a powerful and joyful atmosphere, with students supporting and inspiring one another throughout the performance of the K-pop Demon Hunters song Golden.
By bringing the two groups together, the event highlighted how inclusive music education can help children build confidence, develop social connections and experience the joy of collective achievement.
Alison Sutton, Assistant Head of West Sussex Music, who leads Orchestras Inc. said, “This was the culmination of four weeks of learning by our Worthing Orchestras Inc. musicians and by the fabulous new TOP26 cohort, and it was wonderful to hear how much they have all learned in that short time. The performance was filled with joy and energy – all the performers were justifiably proud of themselves.”
John Randall, Music Centres Manager at West Sussex Music, oversees the TOP26 programme, said, “This performance was a great celebration of what can happen when young people are given the chance to learn and make music in a supportive environment. Events like this show that music really is for everyone, whatever their starting point or additional needs.”
Orchestras Inc. Is supported through funding by the Chalk Cliff Trust, Horsham District Council, and Worthing Borough Council.
West Sussex Music provides a wide range of opportunities for young people across the county to access high-quality music education, ensuring that every child who wants to make music has the chance to do so.
For more information on all of the courses we run, go here.
*Photo from previous performance with Orchestras Inc.
