Big Racket encourages young into orchestral future (From Your Local Guardian)

Big Racket encourages young into orchestral future

9:30am Wednesday 4th July 2012 in Richmond By Rachel Bishop

Budding musicians took to the stage as they had a unique opportunity to play alongside professional musicians in a mass orchestra event.

Eight and nine-year-olds from schools across Richmond took part in the two day Big Racket event organised by Richmond Music Trust (RMT), held in St Mary’s College’s tennis arena on Tuesday, June 26, and Wednesday, June 27.

Chris Cull, CEO of RMT, said: “The idea is bringing beginner players a chance to play alongside advanced students and professional musicians in a mass orchestra.

“The young musicians have really risen to the occasion as always and had a fantastic time. It was very inspirational for them as it showed them what levels they could rise to in the future.”

Over the two night event about 400 students took turns to perform with 150 professionals with a strings and guitars concert on Tuesday and a woodwind, brass, keyboard and percussion set the next day. Music played included pieces by Mozart, Corelli and The Beatles.

RMT has just been named by the Arts Council as the borough’s lead organisation and area music education hub to encourage youth music education.

Mr Cull said: “We’ve really felt it was very valuable for these little tiny children to see the older children playing and have a sort of real model to look at and say ‘If I practise hard I can be as good as that’.”

For details visit richmondmusictrust.org.uk/bigracket.