Harmonious pupils impress in concert

Oct 16 2008 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Harmonious pupils impress in concert

A PRIMARY school in Upper Colwyn Bay had a standing ovation at the Royal Albert Hall after a musical score written by the children was performed by a live orchestra.

Pupils of Ysgol Pen y Bryn travelled to London to be introduced to a sell-out audience at the Classic FM concert where the children’s score was performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

The children wrote the piece, The Pen y Bryn Carnival, as part of a Music Quest national competition following a classical music workshop at Venue Cymru.

Their first prize included £10,000 worth of musical equipment and instruments, a CD burned of their score and the trip to the live performance in the capital.

The concert, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance of The Pen y Bryn Carnival, will be broadcast on Classic FM at 7pm on Friday, November 7.

Headmaster John Roberts said the children had a brilliant time and revealed the school band’s recruitment had already improved following the experience and receiving the new equipment.

“It was superb from start to finish. The concert was a 5,000 sell-out – we were on the balcony and were introduced by the conductor before and after the performance of The Pen y Bryn Carnival,” said Mr Roberts.

“The conductor asked the children to stand up and they were introduced to the audience and they got a standing ovation.

“The children were mesmerised. We have had to increase the size of the school band as they are very keen to learn instruments especially after hearing the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky.

“Some of the parents travelled down with us. They thought it was a fantastic occasion for the children.”