Young Royal Greenwich musicians prepare to hit the high notes at the Royal Festival Hall

by Our Staff Writer | Greenwich

Young performers from across the Royal Borough of Greenwich were in fine voice when they met on Monday (June 22) for a final whole day’s intensive rehearsal as part of their preparation to perform at the prestigious Royal Festival Hall.

The Royal Festival Hall will play host to young musicians
from the Royal Borough of Greenwich on July 2nd, 2015.

The “Celebrate Royal Greenwich Singing Spectacular” takes place at 7.30pm at the world famous music venue on London’s South Bank on Thursday 2 July.

450 primary and secondary school children from Royal Greenwich will be performing in the event next Thursday evening, in which musical talents from 10 primary schools and five secondary schools will be showcased.

The event is the latest recognition of how successfully music is taught and encouraged in the Royal Borough’s schools.

The young performers were joined by Tommy Blaize, lead vocalist for the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing programme, for their rehearsals at Kidbrooke Park Primary School, following a band rehearsal on Sunday 21 June at Jools Holland's rehearsal studio in Greenwich.

Sunday’s rehearsal was for the 11 piece band of industry professionals who have previously performed with the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Robbie Williams to name a few, while on Monday they were joined by choirs form schools across the Borough, combining to form a massed total of 450 young performers.

The concert at the South Bank will feature a massed choir, a performance by the Royal Greenwich Schools’ Gospel Choir, the Woolwich Poly Barber Shop, two Capella songs from Plumstead Manor School Choir and St Ursula’s School Chamber Choir.

The primary schools taking part are Brooklands, Windrush Charlton, Mulgrave, Sherington, Bannockburn, Deansfield, Halstow, Greenacres, Discovery and Eltham C of E.  The other secondary schools involved are Crown Woods Stationers Academy and The Harris Academy Greenwich.

The event is being promoted by the Royal Greenwich Music Hub service, which aims to give children and young people the opportunity to take part in music at the highest level.

 Young musicians from Royal Greenwich
showcase their talents at‘Celebrate Royal Greenwich’ musical
gala held at Blackheath Halls in
November 2014. (Credit: GM).

Councillor John Fahy, Deputy Leader of the Royal Borough and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “It’s always an inspiring occasion to see our talented young singers and musicians perform with such a high level of skill and accomplishment."

He said: "Music remains a crucially important subject and through the excellent work of the Music Hub, thousands of local children have access to first class music teaching and experience the joy and pride of performing at prestigious locations such as The Royal Festival Hall.”

The event is also being supported by The Greenwich Music Trust, which has just been relaunched with Jools Holland as patron. The Trust’s aim is to extend and enrich the musical opportunities and experiences of all children and young people in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

As an independent charity the Trust supports the work of the Royal Greenwich Music Hub – and in particular  it aims to ensure that all musically talented children and young people, whatever their background, have the opportunity to develop their talent and take part in events such as the one taking place at the Festival Hall.

Jools Holland believes the Music Trust plays an important role in nurturing musicians of the future. He said, “We want to make sure that every child in Greenwich has the challenge, reward and sense of belonging that music brings.”