Talented pupils join music professionals

CONCERT . . . The Hallé Orchestra with St Joseph's, Holy Family and St Mary's primary schools and Newman College perform

NEWMAN College was transformed into a concert hall when pupils from four schools performed with professional musicians from the world-famous Hallé orchestra.

They played their own compositions inspired by Tchaikovsky's much-loved Symphony No 5 at a concert to celebrate the culmination of the Hallé's Adopt a Player programme.

The initiative saw pupils from Newman College, Chadderton, linking up with with violinist Sarah Ewins for music workshops.

Three primary schools also took part with Holy Family, Limeside, "adopting" French horn player Andrew Maher, St Joseph's in Shaw working with clarinettist Sergio Castelló López and St Mary's in Failsworth with double bassist Rachel Meerloo.

Each composed pieces inspired by a different movement of the symphony. They also visited the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester to hear the Hallé play.

And as well as learning about the world of classical music, they found out more about Russian geography and history, and the science of sound and other topics.

The initiative finished with each school playing their pieces at Newman College, interspersed with specially composed performances by the quartet of Hallé players.

Mike Edwards, head of music at Newman College, said: "The project has been a fabulous opportunity for all pupils to work with a professional musician and be inspired to continue music making beyond their time at school.

"Working alongside a player from the Hallé and hearing them perform with the orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall has shown just what high standards can be achieved with hard work and dedication. The final concert was absolutely fantastic. Hearing such a variety of musical ideas, all created by the pupils, clearly demonstrated just how much they have engaged with the project and have been inspired by their adopted musician."

Jack Fearn, the Hallé education assistant, said: "We hope the project inspires the pupils to embrace music as a hobby or even career, and encourages the younger children to start or continue playing an instrument into their secondary school education and beyond.

"Music has been proven to help learning in so many ways and we know that whatever their future holds, this experience will be something they will not forget."

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