Basingstoke schoolchildren enjoy The Philharmonia Orchestra at The Anvil (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Basingstoke schoolchildren enjoy The Philharmonia Orchestra at The Anvil
4:30pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Joanne Mace
The Philharmonia Orchestra perform at The Anvil
SEVERAL hundred local children were given the chance to hear a world-class symphony orchestra live on stage during a specially tailored concert at The Anvil.
The schools who attended included Kings Furlong Primary, Park View Primary and Marnel Junior, in Basingstoke, and Long Sutton Primary.
The Philharmonia Orchestra and music education specialist Paul Rissmann led the event, which included performances of well-known symphonic music and film scores including Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and the Theme From James Bond.
The children also had the chance to join in with the orchestra and sing specially written songs which they had been rehearsing with their teachers at school before the concert.
At the back of the stage, a huge screen flashed up images and words throughout.
Before each piece was played, the music was explained by Paul with live examples performed by members of the orchestra, followed by a complete performance of the piece.
Lynn Hunt, from Park View Junior School, said: “The concert was amazing, totally geared towards the children and at the right level.
“They really enjoyed it.”
The Philharmonia’s Orchestra Unwrapped project is designed to support the national curriculum for Key Stage 2 music. Basingstoke is only the third UK city that the project has toured to.
David Whelton, managing director of the Philharmonia, said: “Orchestra Unwrapped combines the strengths of our education and digital work, delivering the playing of the Philharmonia in a new way to seven- to 11-year-olds.
“I am delighted that we are able to bring this to Basingstoke, where the Philharmonia is orchestra in partnership at The Anvil, to supplement our regular work in the concert hall there.”
Christine Bradwell, Anvil Arts’ chief executive, said: “We were very excited to be able to offer this experience to children in Basingstoke and Hampshire.
“The sheer wonder and thrill of hearing a world-class orchestra in The Anvil’s world-class acoustics should not be underestimated.”