Success in the Music For Youth Festival

Wardle High School’s Youth Band with Musical Director Lee Rigg

Four of Wardle High School’s musical groups have been selected to go through to the National stage of the Music for Youth Festival.

The Wind Band, Youth Band, Percussion Group and the Junior Band were all selected. In addition, Smithy Bridge Primary Band, who are directed by Wardle High Youth Band Musical Director Lee Rigg, were also selected.

Founded in 1970, Music for Youth is a national music education charity providing free performance and audience opportunities for young people aged 21 and under, through an annual season of nationwide festivals and concerts.

The musical groups were part of over 50,000 musicians who took part in Regional Festivals earlier in the year and those selected to go through to the next stage will take part in the National Festival in Birmingham.

The National Festival is a six day celebration of music bringing 12,000 young musicians from across the UK to Birmingham to perform in some of its top venues. Throughout the week there are performances of jazz, orchestral, rock, folk and world, wind and brass, pop, choral and chamber music.

The 5 groups performing at The National Festival will be hoping to be selected to perform at The Music for Youth School Proms at the Royal Albert Hall later in the year.
Last year Wardle High Schools Youth Band, were selected and took to the stage to perform in front of a 4,500 audience at the Royal Albert Hall.

The School Proms, created by Music for Youth took place across three nights and involved 3,201 young musicians from England, Scotland and Wales performing at the world’s most famous concert Hall.

Wardle High School has a strong tradition in the performing arts, but particularly in brass band music. They provide instrumental teaching for every pupil who wants it, be it string, woodwind, percussion or brass at no charge other than the insurance cover for their instrument. The school has several groups and bands and they also support local primary schools.

Director of Performing Arts Janet Emsley says: “This is a remarkable achievement for our musical groups; they have all worked hard to get to this level of performance. The experience of participating in the MFY festival will be a memorable one for them and might, hopefully, lead on to further success. I would also like to thank all staff and parents involved, in whatever way, for their contribution to this achievement.”