East Riding Music Service celebrates 30 years of high notes
East Riding Music Service has celebrated 30 years with a variety of music events.
The Music Service began 30 years ago with one orchestra, and has grown to 13 ensembles, and music lessons being offered in almost all East Riding schools. More than 5,000 pupils have a weekly music lesson at school, and 430 young people are regularly involved in an ensemble or music group; from guitar, string and ERock, to wind band, percussion and jazz.
To mark the 30-year milestone, pupils, parents and music staff celebrated through musical events. On Sunday, June 21, Bridlington Spa was the venue for a festival of music, where 185 musicians of all ages performed. Pupils from East Riding schools took part in The Big Sing (KS2) and The Little Sing (KS1), at Bridlington Spa and the Junction in Goole.
More than 2,200 primary school children performed pop, rock, and musical songs to around 3,000 people, alongside the Big Sing Band, made up of teaching staff. Young musicians from the ERock programme showcased their talent – performing at the Polar Bear Music Club in Hull, before taking to the Humber Music Hub stage at Beverley Folk Festival. Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education, said: “East Riding’s Music Service has grown over the years to provide a diverse music offer to people of all ages, abilities and musical tastes. “The service enables children to learn instruments in school, offers opportunities to play as part of ensembles and to perform in front of audiences. “The diversity of opportunities has grown, as has the locations that groups play at – and the service continues to grow. It’s fantastic to see children inspired by their musical involvement and to hear senior music members deliver fantastic performances.”