At the Brighton Centre on Monday 5th December over 1200 young singers, from 43 schools across Brighton & Hove, formed a massed choir to delight a sell-out audience, in this, the biggest event in the BHMA calendar.
The festive feel began as soon as performers and audience members entered the building with the BHMA Woodwind Ensemble playing festive favourites in the foyer.
From the massed choir we heard a mix of traditional and well-known festive songs as well as an original composition by children from Downs View School. The quality of their singing always amazes and acknowledgment and thanks for that must go to our colleagues in schools, the choir trainers who prepare their young people for this vocal extravaganza.
Alongside the massed choir the concert also featured performances from the Brighton & Hove Youth Big Band, with their vocal soloist Klara Ketelaars and Brighton & Hove Youth Concert Band, featuring an original composition from one of its players, clarinetist Aiden Bryson, a year 7 pupil at Varndean School.
In addition to this we were excited to present a performance from BHMA’s newly formed ensemble, Orchestra360. This inclusive ensemble for children and young people with Special Educational Needs/Disabilities and their parents and siblings wowed everybody with their original composition “Night Sky”.
Brighton and Hove mayor Councillor Pete West said on his Facebook page: “I recently read about the neurological benefits of making music."
“In this city we are fortunate to have great support for music in schools and the showcase for that is the Schools Christmas Concert that fills the Brighton Centre conference hall."
“Picture the amassed choirs of 43 of our schools – sound, light, actions, tinsel and Santa hats."
“Add to that the sweet sound of the B&H Youth Big Band, B&H Youth Concert Band, Orchestra 360, plus hundreds of enthusiastic parents and you have an exceptional evening, a very special experience the children and young people will never forget."
“Many thanks to the Brighton and Hove Music and Arts, BHMA Parents and Friends, Soundcity: Brighton and Hove, our schools and especially our children and young people."
Congratulations to all performers - this was a glittering and dazzling demonstration of the musical talent we have in abundance here in Brighton & Hove. We look forward to welcoming schools back on Monday 11th December 2017 – save the date!