Year 6 pupil Ruaraidh M (6H) had a musical adventure over the half term break! He spent an incredibly enriching weekend with the National Children’s Orchestras (NCO) at Goldsmiths, University of London, and had a wonderful time.

As one of four talented viola players, Ruaraidh immersed himself in the world of orchestral music, participating in both full orchestra rehearsals and focused viola sectionals led by a specialist teacher. He relished the opportunity to hone his skills and collaborate with fellow young musicians.

The culmination of the weekend was a delightful “sharing” performance for parents. The repertoire was diverse and impressive, showcasing the children’s hard work and dedication. The audience was treated to captivating renditions of:

• Also Sprach Zarathustra (Strauss)
• Mars from The Planets (Holst)
• Sailing By (Binge)
• Deep River (Coleridge-Taylor)
• Under the Sea (Mencken)
• And a brand-new, exciting piece titled “BANG!” by Thomas Metcalf (who was present) and Mingdu Li.

It was particularly special to have Thomas Metcalf, one of the composers of “BANG!”, in attendance, adding an extra layer of excitement to the performance.

Any parents wishing to find out more about the scheme are encouraged to visit the NCO website at https://www.nco.org.uk/programmes/at-a-glance

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