Rochdale Youth Orchestra Summer Concert

Rochdale Youth Orchestra Summer Concert

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The Gracie Fields Theatre hosted the 2008 Rochdale Youth Orchestra Summer Concert on Saturday (5 July) evening with the Junior and Senior Orchestra in action along with guests Healey Primary School Choir and Healey Primary School Choral Speaking Group.

The Junior Orchestra, conducted by Sue Verity and led by Tim Hudson, opened the night's entertainment with Medieval Dance by Graham Frewer, followed by two pieces with a Scottish theme, to the delight of compere Jim Dobbin MP: the Skye Boat Song and Mull of Kintyre. From McCartney the audience were then treated to Abba, in the form of Mamma Mia and I Have A Dream. The second half of the set was Yellow Bird, Sloop John B, Pirates of the Carribean, Highlights from Harry Potter and the Juniors finished with Those Magnificant Men and their Flying Machines.

Next on stage were Healey Primary School Choir, conducted by headteacher Susan Taylor and accompanied by Judith Whitworth. The choir sang Saturday Afternoon, Give Us Hope, Ellis Island and Love Shone Down before leaving the stage to rapturous applause.

There is clearly a lot of talent at Healey Primary as the same school provided the opening of the second half of the programme with their Choral Speaking Group, directed by Cheryl Richards, performing a humourous Roald Dahl version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs superbly.

The night culminated with five pieces from the Senior Orchestra, conducted by Greg Banks and led by Rebecca Baines: Slavonic Dance, Send in the Clowns, Norwegian Dances, Everything I Do I Do It For You and finishing with Beverly Hills Cop Medley.

Deputy Mayor Keith Swift presented Claire Hill with a certificate to mark her time in the Orchestra; this was Claire's last concert before leaving the Orchestra for University.

Jim Dobbin MP thanked the performers for an excellent night's music and praised the dedication of the adults who support the orchestra and ensure its fine tradition of providing young musicians in the Borough with the opportunity to learn from qualified teachers and perform at three public concerts each year continues.

Despite this fine orchestra being depleted in numbers compared with years past, they once again played to a good standard and provided a thoroughly entertaining evening of music.

The orchestra is looking for new players - no orchestral experience is necessary. To apply please contact Mrs S Verity:

sueverity@sky.com