ON Saturday, June 23, more than 300 young people, parents and grandparents enjoyed an energetic day of music-making and creative activities at Wiltshire Music Centre’s Big Family Music Day.
A broad range of musical talents were showcased as well as a bumper programme of drop-in workshops, instrument taster sessions and craft activities for children of all ages.
The Bradford on Avon centre, created in 1998, has been home to both the West of England Youth Orchestra and Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra since 2015 and works with over 5,000 young people in the community every year through its Creative Learning Programme.
The focus of the day was on the young people who had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of instruments, from violas to Boomwhackers as well as enjoying craft activities.
Highlights from the day included a high-energy samba drumming workshop and procession throughout the centre, a performance by members of Zone Club – Wiltshire Music Centre’s monthly music group for young learning-disabled adults – and an intergenerational WMC Family Orchestra, who came together on the day for a finale performance featuring BBC Ten Pieces arrangement of Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King.
Annabelle Green, head of development and communications at WMC, suggested that this “magnetic musical event” may become an annual fixture due to its success.
The event was presented in partnership with Wiltshire Young Musicians and Wiltshire Music Connect.
For more information about how to get involved with musical activities at Wiltshire Music Centre, visit www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk.
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