St Swithun’s School hosts joint workshop and concert for young Hampshire musicians with the Band of the Scots Guards

St Swithun’s School welcomed 60 young musicians from across the county to a joint workshop and concert with the Band of the Scots Guards.

The initiative, organised by St Swithun’s School, was a Hampshire Music Services Hub event, open to woodwind, brass and percussion players of grade 5 and above. It began with a series of sectional workshops before the whole ensemble came together for a rehearsal with Major Ian Johnson, Director of Music of the Scots Guards.

A free concert in the evening commenced with a march on by the Scots Guards Band into the main auditorium of the Harvey Hall performing arts centre before the combined ensemble launched into a rousing medley of music from The Phantom of the Opera. The repertoire also included ‘Firework’ by Katy Perry.

The band were joined by members of the St Swithun’s Choir for ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ from the musical Les Misérables and a piece from the film Crimson Tide which blended the navy hymn ‘ Eternal Father Strong to Save’ with the haunting melody ‘The Last Post’ played from the upper gallery by a solo trumpeter.

The Scots Guards Band played out to their regimental march ‘Hielan’ Laddie’.

The director of music at St Swithun’s School, YiRu Hall, said: ‘I was so pleased to be able to put together this amazing opportunity for our young musicians, both here at St Swithun’s and in the wider community. Everyone has had a wonderful day of music-making and the Band of the Scots Guards have been fantastic working with the children; talking with them about life as musicians in the army and being inspirational with their incredibly high standard of performance. Seeing the children’s smiles whilst playing alongside the Band was a real highlight for me.’