Rochdale Youth Orchestra Summer Spectacular’

Mark Stuckey, Jade Lomax, Abigail Henderson, Josh Lomax, Mayoress Beverley Place, Cllr Jim Gartside, Mayor Cllr Carol Wardle, Cllr Jane Gartside, Simon Danzcuk MP, Maisie Kershaw, Christine Longhurst, Chris Jolly, Sue Verity Front: Bailey Waddington, Isabelle Henderson

Rochdale Youth Orchestra’s ‘Summer Spectacular’ took place in the magnificent Great Hall of Rochdale Town Hall on Saturday in front of a large audience with special guests the Mayor Carol Wardle and Mayoress Beverley Place.

MC for the evening was Councillor Jane Gartside and guest performers for the evening were Holy Trinity CE Primary School Choir with musical director Christine Longhurst.

The children, many of them very young, delighted the audience with their enthusiastic rendition of lively songs such as ‘Si Si Si’ and older favourites including ‘Catch a falling Star’ and ‘Inchworm’ sung in two parts.

The first piece performed by the Orchestra, with musical director Sue Verity, was the rousing theme from the film ‘The Great Escape.’ Other pieces were based on a theme of water and included the ‘Blue Danube’, ‘Loch Lomond’ and one of the children’s favourites, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’

The Jazz Ensemble, with their musical director Chris Jolly, performed various pieces featuring solos from members of the group, including ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’ with Connaire Holmes on percussion and Sian Morton on violin and the song ‘All of Me’ sung by Grace Morris. Nicole Penney performed a flute solo with ‘Lonesome Boatman’

The concert ended with a medley arranged by Chris Jolly involving all of the performers.
Songs including ‘I do like to be beside the seaside’ and ‘She’s a lassie from Lancashire’ had the audience singing along with the children.

The children said goodbye with ‘We’re all going on a summer holiday’.