Thursday 26th June 2008
(ref:
118/2008)
Two thousand children will experience a sight and sound extravaganza to remember when the world famous Hallé Orchestra visits Wigan next month (Wednesday 9th July).
The 70-strong ensemble is leaving Manchester’s magnificent Bridgewater Hall for the day and heading west to Wigan’s Robin Park sports centre.
As part of its award-winning education programme, the Hallé will give two eagerly-anticipated performances. And for the morning concert, 600 young musicians – taught through Wigan Council’s innovative ‘Wider Opportunities’ scheme – will join forces with the Hallé to perform a specially-composed work by the orchestra’s education director Steve Pickett.
Dave Little, Head of Wigan Council’s Instrumental Teaching Service says:
“We have been working with the Hallé for three years now and I am absolutely thrilled at the prospect of a world-renowned symphony orchestra coming to play in Wigan. It promises to be a momentous occasion – a fantastic opportunity for so many of the borough’s young people.
“To stage such an historic event is testament to the hard work of our excellent music service tutors, our wonderfully musical schools and, above all, our talented pupils. Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust staff at Robin Park have also been very supportive.”
26 primary and secondary schools are currently involved in the council’s ‘Wider Opportunities’ project, which allows pupils the chance to learn to play a musical instrument for a year – free of charge. A further twenty schools will join in September and every primary school in the borough – more than 100 schools – will enjoy this extraordinary musical experience by 2011.
Note to editors
For more information, please contact Dave Little on 01942 255227 or 07980 641662.
The Hallé’s education programme reaches over 35,000 participants a year, principally by placing Hallé musicians in the community, in schools, youth clubs, community centres and young offenders’ centres, where they compose and perform music alongside project participants.
