Three primary schools, which are taught and conducted by tutors from Wardle High School have performed at the Music for Youth National Festival in Birmingham to great acclaim.
Musical mentors
Littleborough Community Primary Wind Band and St James’ Church of England Primary Brass performed in front of musical mentors at the Adrian Boult Hall, whilst Smithy Bridge Primary Brass played at the magnificent Symphony Hall (above).
Littleborough, conducted by Black Dyke cornet star Lee Rigg, opened their programme with, ‘Let Me Entertain You’, before moving smoothly through, ‘Clough Top March’, ‘Summer Romance’ and ‘Toccata in D Minor’.
Excellent comments
The band received excellent comments from the mentors who congratulated them on playing their entire programme from memory.
Meanwhile, St James’, conducted by Gwen Smith, performed ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, ‘James Bond’, ‘Scooby Doo Meets the Muppets’ and ‘The A Team’, and also received excellent comments for a programme the mentors praised for its energy, enthusiasm and musical engagement.
Superb
Finally, Smithy Bridge conducted by Lee Rigg, performed ‘Everybody’, ‘Circus Parade’, ‘Fooling About’ and ‘Toccata in D Minor’.
The band’s outstanding performance saw the musical mentor’s state: "I can’t believe the true professionalism of this band. Superb!"
I can’t believe the true professionalism of this band. Superb!Musical mentor, Music for Youth Festival
Certificate
As a result, the band was awarded with the School’s Brass Band’s Certificate of Achievement for Performance Practice.
All three bands are now waiting to hear if they have got through to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London.