A GROUP of musicians from Downend School took to the stage at a national festival.
The school’s ‘pops orchestra’ was invited to perform at the CBSO Centre, home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, as part of the Music for Youth festival in July.
The orchestra contains students from all year groups and experience levels and does not hold auditions – it is open to anyone who is learning an instrument.
The group “bridges the gap between classical and contemporary music”, with a mix of traditional orchestral and pop music instruments, from violins and trombones to electronic keyboards.
Its repertoire is adapted to suit the range of instruments by band director Robin Davies, of the West of England Music Alliance (WEMA).
Some 19 members of the pops orchestra made the trip to the concert hall in Birmingham, after the group previously impressed audiences at a regional festival in Swindon during the spring.
It was the latest in a series of invitations to the national event earned by Downend performers in recent years.
The orchestra performed a medley of their repertoire, including the Mission Impossible theme tune, I Am The Doctor from Doctor Who and Unsquare Dance, by Dave Brubeck.
School head of music Alice Muir said: “Their performance at the national event was nothing short of magical.
“The orchestra’s diverse instrumentation—from strings to brass to electric guitars—came together seamlessly, creating a symphony of brilliance.
“Every student in the pops orchestra has worked tirelessly.
“Their passion and dedication shine through in every note they play.
“It’s heart-warming to see them explore their musical talents and share their love for music.”