Months of hard work have ended on a high note for three south Norwich schools, when pupils performed live with the Britten Sinfonia orchestra.
The Crescendo concert was a sell-out at Poringland Community Centre, where pupils from Framingham Earl High, Rockland St Mary Primary and Surlingham Primary School premiered their anthem for the Norfolk Village Games.
The concert forms part of a creative project co-produced by Orchestras Live, working with South Norfolk Council as part of their Olympic year celebrations.
The council's deputy leader, cllr Martin Wilby, said: 'I have been incredibly impressed by the young people's talent, enthusiasm and dedication and I am delighted we can help them develop their potential by giving them this opportunity to work alongside such highly acclaimed musicians.'
Pupils have worked closely with a team of musicians led by composer James Redwood, and over two workshops have written both the lyrics and the music for the new anthem, which will be performed at the final of the Games on Sunday, July 15.
Stuart Bruce, partnership manager of Orchestras Live, the national development organisation for professional orchestral music, said: 'This is the first project of its kind in south Norfolk, and I am thrilled that so many young people have had the inspirational experience of working with instrumentalists and other artists from one of the country's leading orchestras.'
Teenagers from Framingham Earl High performed alongside Britten Sinfonia musicians, while the younger pupils sung in a choir.
The concert also included a selection of classical music chosen by the pupils and Black Eyed Peas number one hit, I Got a Feeling.
Miles Neville, director of music at Framingham Earl High, added: 'We want all students to enjoy music and feel inspired.
'This project has demonstrated the great amount of talent our young people have and I hope many students will go on and enjoy music throughout their lives.'
- Is your school organising a big event? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk
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