Wardle High School’s musical groups played at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall

Wardle High School Junior Band on stage with their Outstanding Award

Four of Wardle High School’s musical groups played at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall last week, two of these groups received an Outstanding Award, placing them in the running for a possible performance at the Royal Albert Hall for the Schools Prom in November. Also in the running is the Smithy Bridge Primary School Brass Band, directed by Wardle’s Lee Rigg who were also outstanding.

Music For Youth (MFY) 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. MFY is a festival series, not a competition.

A band’s journey through Music for Youth starts at a Regional Festival. During this festival, Wardle High School managed to impress the musical mentors with four of their musical groups: Wardle Junior Band, Wardle High School Percussion Ensemble, Wardle High School Wind Band and Wardle High School Band. All of these groups were selected to go through to play at the National Festival at The Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

Each group performed once again for two musical mentors and an audience at the National Festival. Smithy Bridge Primary School and Wardle Junior Band both achieved a National Union of Teachers Infants and Juniors Award and Wardle High School Wind Band achieved the National Union of Teachers School Wind Band Award. Once bands have received an award at the National Festival at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham, they then have the opportunity to be selected to perform at the Schools Prom in November at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Director of Performing Arts, Janet Emsley, said: “We have had a fantastic week in Birmingham with all of our musical groups through to the National Festival. All of the groups gave exceptional performances and enjoyed the experience of playing in such superb venues. Music for Youth offers young people a platform for performance that gives them life experiences that will remain with them forever.”

Headteacher, Dr Graham Wright, said: “It was an absolute privilege to accompany one of the groups. Their performance was sophisticated, invigorating and quite emotional. These groups were able to demonstrate to a national audience the depth and strength of the musical talent that the Rochdale and Pennine area have to offer. I felt very proud.”