King’s Ely Junior flautists to star in British Suzuki Institute Celebration Concerts

King’s Ely Junior’s nine-strong Flute Choir has been selected to feature in one of the concerts after its teacher, Liz Hargest, submitted a recording of the students performing ‘You’ve got to pick a pocket or two’ by writer and composer Lionel Bart.

The British Suzuki Institute is a registered charity set up to advance education in Music by the promotion of the methods of education developed over 70 years ago by founder Dr Shin’ichi Suzuki, with a focus on teacher training and the provision of concerts, workshops and special events for members.

The Celebration Concerts are being held at London’s Southbank Centre in March and will see musicians aged 5–16 coming together to perform music from Debussy to Beethoven, all celebrating 40 years of the British Suzuki Institute. The musicians will perform a selection of piano, string and wind solos, duets and chamber ensembles, as well as larger group performances, in a mixture of official Suzuki and non-Suzuki repertoire. Each concert has a separate programme featuring different performers and a mixture of age, level and instruments.

Hundreds of young musicians applied to perform in the concerts so Liz Hargest and the girls certainly have reason to celebrate being selected to feature in one of the concerts taking place on Sunday, March 17th.

Liz Hargest said: ‘I am so proud of what the girls have achieved. They all work incredibly hard to memorise their part and to play their instruments with musicality and expression. They really are a team and each individual’s motivation inspires the other girls. I know March 17th will be a memorable occasion for them, their parents, myself and everyone at King’s Ely.’

Music is the beating heart of King’s Ely and is the reason why the school came into existence in the first place. Over a third of students learn a musical instrument or receive vocal tuition and the quality, range and variety of ensembles all attest to the school’s musical pedigree. The school calendar is jam-packed with student-led and professional concerts, workshops and masterclasses, all of which, together with the excellence of the school’s cathedral choirs, highlight how music is the soul of the King’s Ely community and testify to its inclusivity.

For more information about the Celebration Concerts, please visit: www.southbankcentre.co.uk. To find out more about opportunities at King’s Ely, please go to: www.kingsely.org.