The bands and musicians at Wardle High School have been enjoying some fantastic musical events over the last few months, and are really looking forward to the summer’s music making.

Achievement

The school is celebrating the news that their Senior Band have qualified to perform at the National Festival of Music for Youth at Symphony Hall in July. In it’s 33 year history, Wardle have had a musical ensemble qualify for the event every year — an unrivalled achievement.

The Senior Band conducted by Lee Rigg have also enjoyed success this year. They came 5th overall at the Action Research Entertainment Contest in which they also won 'Best March', 'Best Stage Deportment' and 'The Band with the Most Potential'.

Each year the music making seems to get better and better at this schoolDirector of Music, Paul Lovatt-Cooper

Proud

At the National Youth Championships they came third out of 15 bands winning a Gold Award in the Intermediate Section, which made them the highest placed school band in the championships.

Lee Rigg told 4BR: "I'm extremely proud of the musical achievements of all the bands this year. We recognize the importance of performing at the highest level at concerts and contests and we pride ourselves in supporting these major contests and being part of such a great musical heritage."

Whit Friday

As well as the Senior Band, the Junior Band conducted by Gwen Diggle are putting their final preparations together for this year’s Whit Friday March competition.

Both bands will be competing in the Saddleworth and Tameside contests in the hope of continuing on the successes of last year where they won at three venues.

Whit Friday kicks off the busy summer season for the many musicians at the school.

Exams

Each year the Music Department enters around 40-50 pupils for their Associated Board Grade exams and this year 51 students take their instrumental exams ranging from Grade 1-7.

Wardle has entered students for their grade exams over the last four years, and so far the pass rate has been 100%, with all students passing, many with merit and distinction.

Spectacular

The school has over 200 pupils who learn a musical instrument and perform as part of a group and they will be getting to gether to perform in the school’s Summer Spectacular Concert in June.

The event is a huge sell out concert that lasts all day and into the night, concluding with a choreographed outdoor firework display to a massed band concert item.

After this the band will then head to for a week long trip to Barcelona, where they will be performing in a number of concerts at venues around the city.

Better and better

Director of Music, Paul Lovatt-Cooper commented to 4BR: "Each year the music making seems to get better and better at this school. It is a fantastic place to work and the high numbers of musicians on role reflects all the hard work that all the staff put in. I haven’t witnessed anything like this at any other school. The staff, pupils and parents love getting involved with all the events."