Students take part in unique performance

Rochdale Sixth Form College students arrive for rehearsals - Teacher James Reevell (centre) with from left to right: Catherine Ayres, Alicia France, Bradley Harrison, Amy Upton, Calum McIvor, Nathan Hobson

Six talented musicians from Rochdale Sixth Form College took to the stage this week in a unique performance that saw pupils and students from around the North West play alongside professionals from the world-renowned Manchester Camerata, at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Around 200 students, and 35 professional musicians, were involved in the performance, which was the climax of NoteAble Numbers, a learning project to get children and young adults involved in music-making, while also promoting a greater awareness of numbers, with the piece exploring topics such as Pi and counting.

The Year 12 and 13 students involved from Rochdale Sixth Form College - Catherine Ayres, Alicia France, Bradley Harrison, Nathan Hobson, Calumn McIvor and Amy Upton - not only played at the concert, but had also been involved in the composition of the piece when composer Kate Pearson ran two workshops at the College earlier this year.
James Reevell, Rochdale Sixth Form College Music & Music Technology Teacher, said: “This was an amazing project for our College to have been involved with and I am hugely proud of all the students who took part, especially as the only rehearsal of the entire ensemble took part on the day of the concert – which added to the pressure somewhat.”

He continued: “It was a terrific opportunity for our students – as not only did they have chance to play alongside some world-class musicians, but the project also gave real insight into musical composition.”

The performance was streamed live on the Manchester Camerata website and can be viewed at www.manchestercamerata.co.uk.