Thousands of pupils enjoy free musical extravaganza

Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and young musicians from Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra raised the roof at the city's premiere music venue as they put on an incredible display of live music for more than 2,500 local students yesterday (Tuesday 11 February, 2025).

Wolverhampton Music Service provided free tickets to secondary and special schools across the Black Country for two concerts at The University of Wolverhampton at The Halls.

Students were able to learn about the development of orchestral music through the years, with performances of pieces by Charpentier, Beethoven, Mozart, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Holst, Christopher Tin and John Williams, and there was also an excerpt from Wolverhampton composer Grace-Evangeline Mason's The Imagined Forest. All participating schools also received a full concert programme and curriculum materials in advance to support the learning experience.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "This was the second time that our Music Service has joined forces with Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra to offer this fabulous opportunity to local pupils."

Head of Wolverhampton Music Service, Ciaran O’Donnell, added: “We think it is important that every child in Key Stage 3 has the chance to hear a live orchestra during their school days as it is the most authentic way to understand what an orchestra is and what it sounds like. I am immensely proud that Wolverhampton has over 100 musicians to bring to the stage to make it all happen – it is unique to our city that we can do that."

More pictures from the event can be found on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/gp/wolverhamptontoday/47Fqx47ejP.