Orchestra Unwrapped

Theres more excitement and noise than you'd expect then as the lights dim they cheer eagerly as the musicians enter.. Its not the usually audiance in DMH nor the welcome for a orchrister. Today that welcomed Philharmonia Orchestra. The auditorium was packed with children from all over leicester. I went along with Scraptoft Valley Primary School 

so what is it all about 

Orchestra Unwrapped is a uniquely ambitious project, offering every 7-11 year old child in Leicester the opportunity to hear the world-class Philharmonia Orchestra. The project will offer children, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, access to music education through a dynamic programme of interactive schools concerts, bespoke educational materials for the classroom, and online learning guides, all adhering to the National Curriculum.

This project is a national first, because it will reach every Key Stage 2 child in the City, and as Resident Orchestra at De Montfort Hall the Philharmonia is launching this initiative in Leicester.  We hope that will make a real difference to children across the City.

Throughout the performance everything is explained how the music works, the names for different styles and ways of playing.

the large screen and video images show the musicians and conductor close up. 

As part of the project the children had been learning Merlin, and so to that we turned as the story narrated from the stage a little symbol appears on the screen and everyone stand we are the choir. and it sounded wonderful. 

They clapped in the wrong places and and giggled and laughed there way through the concert and it was fantastic. 

Holy Island

Last week I had the opportunity to go on retreat to Holy Island. A place I've wanted to visit for a while now. Living on the island you are bound by seasons bound by the rhythm of the tide. For a short time each day when at low tide you can walk and drive across the sea bed to the island. each day pilgrims and visitors make the journey. 

on the oppersite side of the Island to where most of the tourists stay is a pebble beach. ten's of little piles of rocks mark the way like the one above. Evidence of pilgrims  past   show us the way forward along the path. a connection with the saints of old lay scattered on the side of the path as wind, rain and tide displace the pile that once stood.

Throughout history these markers have been built to represent promise, hope and encounter with God, a way of remembering.

a question echoed on the incoming waves how do you mark the good things that God has done in your life, those markers that guide and remind of HIS faithfulness Grace and Love .....