Workshop Hits The Right Note With Young Musicians
A workshop with the Band of West Mercia Police hit the right note with young musicians.
Twenty six young people, aged eight to 16, took part in the Kids On The Beat initiative at West Mercia Police's headquarters, Hindlip Hall, near Worcester, on Saturday, 28th January.
The event for young musicians who play a brass instrument or percussion comprised a combination of workshop sessions and joint rehearsals, where 50 musicians joined together in a massed ensemble.
Providing musical direction were championship brass band conductors Tom Davoren and Alwyn Green, with West Mercia Police Band members on hand to provide support.
The day concluded with a professional concert performance to the parents, carers and friends of the young musicians. The hour-long concert performance featured a diverse programme of music including the Slaidburn march, the film theme from The Great Escape, a version of Hawaii 5-0, arranged by Philip Harper, and ending with New York, New York.
Band Chairman PC Richard Waterhouse, who is a local policing officer from the Redditch South West and Rural team, said: "It is one of the band's objectives to take music into the community. The Kids on the Beat event was a tremendous success and I am keen that we build on the day's events and develop this opportunity further.
"It is important to encourage young people to be involved in positive activities and learning music is a skill that will last a lifetime and benefit them in so many ways. The feedback we have received from the youngsters and their parents has been extremely positive."
For further information about future events, please email Neil Kerridge, Youth Band Manager, at neilkerridge@aol.com
Issued: Tuesday, 31 January 2012
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