A group of 230 young musicians from Milton Keynes represented the city at the Music for Youth Fringe Festival in Birmingham at the beginning of July.
The group’s performances were part of a five-day feast of live music as 8,000 of the UK’s brightest young musicians took to stages at world class venues and city-centre locations throughout Birmingham.
MK’s representatives came from schools and organisations across the city, including year two string players from Loughton Manor, year four percussion players from New Bradwell, a signing choir from Chestnuts School, the MK Youth Orchestra, Big Band and school choirs from Jubilee Wood, Ousedale, Christ the Sower and Oxley Park.
The group performed a specially-composed piece of work called ‘My City, My Story’ by lyricist John Lindley and local MK composer, Sarah Watts – who both worked with four local schools to compose seven songs, some of which were called ‘Roundabout Here’, ‘What the Grid Did’ and ‘Please don’t Mention’, which is about MK’s famous bovine residents.
Zoe Nolan, cabinet member for Children and Young People, says, “I am so impressed with the part played by children from our schools in Milton Keynes in this superb concert.
“They are a credit to all involved and great ambassadors for our city. I congratulate all involved - well done.”
The songs were originally performed by 600 infants and 600 junior pupils as part of the MK Primary Music Festival in 2017. David Rose, former head of MK Council’s Music Faculty, originally commissioned the work as part of the city’s MK50 celebrations last year.
Lucy Griffiths, professional animateur and conductor of the group’s performance in Birmingham, says, “I was so impressed with how the brilliant young people just got on with it and performed so well and maturely – and with such panache too.”
If you would like your child to become involved in the musical life of MK, then please email music@milton-keynes.gov.uk to find out about ensemble groups at our Saturday morning music centre at Shenley, or email mkmusiccoop@gmail.com for individual lessons.
