Royal Approval for Musicians
Seventeen of our musicians were honoured and excited when HRH The Duchess of Cornwall dropped into the final rehearsal on Wednesday 4 May for a concert which took place at London’s Cadogan Hall on Friday 6 May.
The Bancroft’s pupils were among 130 young people taking part in a specially commissioned new work by composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad. The orchestral and choral work I am You, Brave and Strong was commissioned by the London Chamber Orchestra (LCO) for its Music Junction education and outreach programme. The Music Junction participants came from seventeen schools and music organisations. They all joined together for the very first time at the People’s Palace at Queen Mary University of London for Wednesday’s rehearsal before the world premiere of the piece.
The Bancroft’s musicians have been involved with the Music Junction project for the past six months and have gained enormously from being mentored by members of the LCO. In turn, they have visited other schools in the Waltham Forest area and have been able to peer mentor other youngsters. Bancroft’s has been fortunate to have been visited by members of the LCO on two occasions; on one of these Bancroft’s players joined with the LCO members under the batten of Christopher Warren-Green for a musical flash mob during a School assembly.
Deputy Head, Marwan Mikdadi, said, “Bancroft’s involvement in Music Junction was a fantastic opportunity for some of our top musicians not only to work with and learn from world class musicians but act as mentors to other young players. They also got the experience of playing in a prestigious London concert venue.
It was obvious from all the performers’ expressions at the concert at that they had enjoyed a once in a lifetime experience.
Marwan Mikdadi, Deputy Head
Since its inception in 2010, the LCO’s Music Junction project has brought together 1,000 young people, some of whom had no experience playing instruments before their involvement in the project. The children come from all backgrounds making this a socially inclusive project which brings together schools and carer organisations. The programme aims to develop self-confidence, empathy and a sense of aspiration in its participants as well as a lasting interest in classical music.
