An incredible 400 young musicians took to the stage last weekend as West Sussex Music Centre celebrated another successful year with its two end-of-term concerts.
The summer concerts, held at Worthing Assembly Hall, showcased the incredible talent, dedication and confidence of children and young people from across West Sussex, bringing together performers ranging from beginners to some of the county’s most accomplished young musicians.
The afternoon concert featured the West Sussex Training String Orchestra, West Sussex Young Voices, West Sussex Drum Lab, West Sussex Junior Orchestra, Chichester and Worthing Youth Orchestra and West Sussex Training Wind Orchestra.
The evening concert featured West Sussex Youth Choir, West Sussex Youth Wind Orchestra, West Sussex Youth String Orchestra, West Sussex Youth Orchestra and the Tomorrow’s Orchestra.
This was the first year the Tomorrow’s Orchestra featured students from the Crawley Music Centre, following its launch in January this year. The Tomorrow’s Orchestra Programme (TOP) is made up of beginner instrumentalists from the Bognor Regis, Crawley, Chichester, Horsham, Midhurst, and Worthing music centres. All the children began their musical journeys in January, with the programme providing low-cost lessons, instrument loan, and performance opportunities across the year.
With so many new young faces, it was an opportunity to welcome new families to the event for the first time too, resulting in high praise, including Katharine Spens, a TOP family member, who said,
“We had an absolutely amazing time last night and were genuinely overwhelmed by the talent and bravery of all the students. They should all feel incredibly proud of themselves. Our children absolutely loved performing for everyone and are already excited to start again. They were so inspired watching the older students that they have been making all sorts of music today.”
The two concerts demonstrated the unique musical journey available through West Sussex Music, with beginner musicians sharing the same stage as advanced performers, some of whom are going onto music college and university to take their music further, inspiring both audiences and younger players to see what is possible through continued music-making.
James Underwood, Chief Executive for West Sussex Music said:
“These concerts are always a wonderful celebration of everything our young people have achieved throughout the year, but what has been especially exciting this summer is seeing so many new faces in the audience. Welcoming families who are discovering our groups for the first time reminds us just how important these performances are. Whether it’s a child taking their very first steps in an orchestra through TOP or experienced musicians preparing for the next stage of their musical journey, every performance represents months of commitment, teamwork and personal growth.”
The concerts featured a varied programme of orchestral, choral and wind band music, giving audiences the chance to hear the breadth of talent being nurtured across the county.
West Sussex Music provides opportunities for children and young people of all abilities to develop their musical skills through lessons, groups, workshops and performances. The end-of-term concerts marked the culmination of another busy year and offered a fitting celebration before many of the county’s young musicians head off to summer courses and holiday music activities.
Families interested in joining one of West Sussex Music’s choirs, bands or orchestras are encouraged to visit the website to find an ensemble suitable for every age and ability. LINK
