All hail the Hallé kids

ALL together now . . . pupils from Yew Tree Community School in Chadderton

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MUSICAL maestros from Oldham's primary schools strummed, tooted and trumpeted along with the world renowned Hallé orchestra during a special concert at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday.

A total of 1,700 pupils from 35 schools joined in rousing versions of Cuckoo Polka by Johann Strauss II and Chuck Rio's Tequila as part of the Come and Play concerts for children.

Biggest

The schools, some who had been rehearsing their pieces since September, also enjoyed listening to classic compositions such as Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird, and the theme tune to Indiana Jones by John Williams.

Come and Play with the Hallé is designed to give children the opportunity to play and sing with an international symphony orchestra, both at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and in other national centres.

In attendance was the Mayor of Oldham councillor Shadab Qumer, Mayoress Sobia Arshi, and Gerard Booth,head of Oldham Music Service who organises the event for Oldham schools.

Mr Booth said: "This is the sixth year running that we have taken part in Come and Play and its the biggest and best event yet.

"The children are playing every type of instrument, from violins and flutes to tubas and ukuleles.

"The Hallé education department have put on a fantastic concert for us and its a great way for young people to mark the end of their school year."