Thames Park Ensemble is OFFICIAL!!! Following a few lunchtime rehearsals, our newest school ensemble travelled into London to join other school ensembles from around the UK and professional orchestral musicians as part of the Orchestras For All project.

Our day consisted of some sectional rehearsals with Eduard leading the string section for the whole orchestra, joined by fellow violinists Sephira and Denisa and our resident Year 8 bass guitarist Chi Chi taking on the Double Bass.

Our woodwind section saw Jake on the clarinet, leading the way for Akmeja to pick up the clarinet and Mrs Green to give a go too. We heard Malik and Gaby demonstrating the strength of their lungs by producing some robust sounds after recently picking up the saxophone and Nikola playing alongside Ms Caers in the flute section.

Our brass section led by Miriam on the Baritone trumpet, alongside Sarah and Alicia who borrowed her dads' trumpet demonstrated excellence in managing the challenging rhythms of 99 Red Balloons.

Our percussion section, after having no rehearsals with Mrs Green really shone on stage with Willow being commended for playing the Timpani and learning how to use the pedals, then switching to congas, Alex for constantly smiling whilst keeping the orchestra in time with his bass drum performance, then switching to the tambourine and Janveer who went from Bongos to finger cymbals to triangle. 

Our acoustic guitar section was on mass and did an excellent job of following the adapted scores thanks to our guitar teacher Ms Holly Williams.  We saw Alfie, Emily, Saule, Gabrielle, Axe  and Bodie  strumming along in time and performing in a large ensemble for the very first time.

The afternoon saw us joined together to rehearse with all sections of the orchestra, ensuring that we counted our bars rest and kept a watchful eye on our Italian conductor who also gave us lessons in Italian. We explored the 3/4 metre of Merry Go Round of Life from Howl's Moving Castle and even managed to keep up with the changing tempos of 99 Red Balloons.

The day was very successful, even Mr Hook, who supported us started talking about which Brass instrument he could learn. We are now all looking forward to the in-school workshops and final day at the Royal Academy of Music on the 3^rd July.

If your child is interested in joining our ensemble please email Mrs Green, there is no requirement for them to have an instrumental lesson just a commitment to giving it a go.