On Monday 29th April, more than 600 pupils from schools across the borough were once again treated to a concert by the world-class Philharmonia Orchestra, as part of the inspirational Orchestra Unwrapped Concert Series.
This was the third time the programme has run in Bedford after we brought it to the town in 2016 as part of our 450th anniversary celebrations.
Leading up to the concert, music co-ordinators from the 14 participating schools were invited to take part in an inset session hosted by our own school Bedford Girls' School.
Composer Paul Rissmann lead the session and provided teachers with a suite of resources which they were then able to take back to the classroom.
This year Paul composed a song inspired by the children's story book Leon and the Place Between, illustrations from which were brought to life on a big screen as the orchestra and children performed along to the story.
For the first time, schools were invited to take part in the concert via pre-recorded video introductions. Pupils from Greys Academy and the Hills Academy took part to tell the story of Scheherezade. Participating schools also submitted artwork around the theme of Sinbad and Sherezade which were projected in time to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov.
18th century Female composer Maria Antonia Walpurgis was featured along with Prokofiev's Montagues & Capulets (known by many of the children as the theme to the Apprentice).
And the concert ended as always, with a film score, and gasps of excitement could be heard as Powell's 'How to train your dragon' began.
Sarah Elam, External Relations Manager here at the Trust said “Orchestra Unwrapped appeals to us as a Bedford charity because it is such an inclusive project reaching over 600 pupils in local schools at a time where music provision in schools is under increasing pressure. The concert series includes an inset programme for primary music co-ordinators which has been very well received. But more than anything, it is joy to see the expressions on the children’s faces and we are incredibly proud to be able to support this project”.
Next year the Philharmonia's will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its residency in the town and the Trust has provided a number of grants to help keep the orchestra in the town.
We are grateful to Queens Park Academy for providing consent to photograph pupils at the event.