Caerphilly Students Head For The Royal Albert Hall

A group of 650 students from across Caerphilly and Gwent schools are heading to the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday 16th November to perform. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The school pupils have worked with Welsh composer Dr Daniel Bickerton on a specially written musical piece for the group to perform. The piece titled #CONNECT explores the relationship between music and technology and has been created specifically for the Caerphilly and Gwent Music Services. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dr Daniel Bickerton said: “It is the first time that I’ve been involved in a project of this magnitude. It will be a real pleasure to perform my own work in the Royal Albert Hall. It is an amazing opportunity”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The musical piece will be performed by an ensemble of pupils from Caerphilly and Gwent as part of the National Festival of Music for Youth’s School Proms. The event involves a jazz orchestra, string and percussion ensembles, beatboxers, rappers, a massed choir and a range of technology. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

John Liddington, Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni pupil said: “It’s good that young composers can collaborate with us, to help understand a lot of different genres and styles”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Katie Muller, Lewis Girls’ Comprehensive School pupil said: “It has been a nerve-wracking experience, but I am looking forward to playing at a world famous venue. If it’s anything like the rehearsals, it will be fantastic”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ken Hunt, Head of Caerphilly Music Service said: “Our students have been enthused from the first rehearsal and are now looking forward to the concert. My thanks go to all my staff and the schools for allowing the students to be part of something really spectacular. I’m sure that they will learn a great deal for the experience and it will leave them with lasting and wonderful memories”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Derek Havard, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning said: “I am delighted that pupils from Caerphilly Music Service have been given the fantastic opportunity of performing world renowned venue, The Royal Albert Hall. I wish you all the very best of luck and enjoy every moment”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​