Wealth of talent lined up as MK says thank you for the music
Young musicians set to perform across the city in 10-day music festival
The city is tuning up for spring with its own 'mini prom' this month.
A brand new brass band will kick off the ten-day music festival which will feature a rock contest, string ensembles, the Youth Orchestra and overseas performers.
Milton Keynes Council Music Service is behind the event starting on March 17.
The fledgling MK Youth Brass – which hopes to take in the National Youth Brass Band Championships next month – will perform at the Chrysalis Theatre at Willen on the opening night.
The band has brought together a talented group of young performers. Its aim is to provide high quality tuition and experience for brass players through weekly rehearsals, courses, competitions and visiting conductors and soloists.
Membership is open to any student under the age of 19.
The band will be joined by seasoned musicians from the established Stantonbury Brass.
A highlight of the show will be a special tribute to long-serving member of Stantonbury Brass Simon Palmer, who tragically died just over a year ago at the age of 31.
Music Director Alan Jenkins said: "Simon was very special to the band, which was a big factor in his life, and we very much miss him as a friend and a wonderful musician."
Some of Simon's favourite pieces will be played and any former players of Stantonbury Brass are being welcomed to join in performing them.
Simon was an ecologist and avid birth watcher and profits from the concert will be donated to the RSPB.
"Strings and Things" is the theme for March 23 at Shenley Brook End School Theatre. "Pipes and Drums" are the fare at the same theatre the following day. Baroque groups, wind ensembles and strings groups will perform at the Guildhall on March 25.
A sure-fire festival attraction will see secondary school bands rock The Pitz in Woughton as part of 'Rock School Riot', organised by the Music Service Rock School. Bands will face each other in a battle-of-the-bands style contest on March 26.
The festival ends at City Church on March 27 when the Youth Orchestra
and intermediate orchestra will be joined by a Japanese delegation of music students who are visiting Milton Keynes.
MK Music Service head David Rose promises a "really exciting" series of events as part of the Government's 'Tune In' initiative to bring together and showcase the wide range music-related activities available to young people across the country.
He said: "In Milton Keynes we have a wealth of talent and this is a brilliant opportunity for our students to show off what they can do to a wide audience. I encourage everyone to come along."
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
