Thousands of pupils set to enjoy free musical extravaganza

More than 2,500 children and young people from across Wolverhampton and the Black Country will get the chance to experience the joy of a live orchestral performance next month.

Wolverhampton Music Service has provided free tickets to secondary and special schools for two concerts at the city’s largest cultural venue, The University of Wolverhampton at The Halls, on Tuesday 11 February, featuring performances by Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and young musicians from Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra.

Students will 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. In addition, Wolverhampton-born composer Grace-Evangeline Mason will feature with an excerpt from her piece, The Imagined Forest.

Presenter Rachel Leach will enthuse the audience with her knowledge, passion and energy while all participating schools will receive a full concert programme and curriculum materials in advance to support pupils’ learning experience.

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

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.

"We're also grateful for the commitment from schools who make the huge effort to transport children there and back."