Youth Makes Music 2009

Now in its eleventh year, ‘Youth Makes Music’ goes from strength to strength.

The energy and enthusiasm of the young musicians and the dedication and commitment of their teachers never ceases to impress.

Roysia School ensemble kicked the proceedings off under the direction of their new teacher, Dan Ecclestone, followed by some beautiful singing from the choir directed by Joyce Goodall and a fine performance from the Roysia Handchimes group who for the first time conducted their own performance without the usual guidance from Joyce Goodall.

We were then treated to three items from Royston Youth Choir directed by Pam Lambert. the choir, now in its eighth year, draws on youngsters from Greneway, Roysia, Meridian, Bassingbourn Village College, Freman College and Hills Road Sixth Form College. Their final item (‘How Can I Keep From Singing’) summed up the philosophy of the group admirably.

This year saw a record participation from seven of the eight Royston first schools thanks largely to the efforts of Louise Atkins. There were some lively performances (complete with appropriate hand actions!) from the combined choirs and the recorder group also acquitted themselves well. This year’s Youth Makes Music event coincided with the ‘connecting classrooms’ initiative involving Roysia, Greneway and Meridian and schools in Ghana and Nigeria sponsored by the British Council. There was a strong African flavour to many of the contributions including an improvised piece performed by the joint string ensemble and a Nigerian highlife song performed by the Greneway School Chamber Choir directed by Wai Tsang.

One of the highlights of the evening for me was an exciting performance by the combined Meridian and Greneway Djembe ensemble lead by James Richardson. For the uninitiated, the Djembe is an African drum which produces a variety of sounds used to great effect by the group.

As always, the contributions from Meridian School were stunning.

The ladies Cantabile choir kicked the proceedings off with a beautiful Ghanaian traditional song.

We also heard from the men, a Cappella choir directed by David Atkins who gave a slick performance of ‘Mr Sandman’.

The Meridian voices treated us to another traditional African lullaby directed by a visiting Nigerian student wearing full traditional dress.

We were then treated to a cabaret performance from a small jazz/blues ensemble.

The highlight of the Meridian contribution was undoubtedly a stunning performance of ‘Ghostbusters’ by the Meridian wind band complete with real life ghosts who intermingled with the audience and stunning lighting effects.

The evening concluded with a massed choral performance from all of the participating schools which left the audience calling for more.

I think it is fair to say that we all left with a spring in our step and a song in our hearts.

Tim Penn