Musical ‘bedtime story’ unites young pupils in Somerset

Inspired by the journey from night to day, musicians and pupils will travel through the mystical midnight sky together, ultimately arriving at a joyous dawn chorus. A variety of musical sound worlds will be created, and the concert will also include a participatory song which has been co-written by local young people.

BSO Associate Musician Sam Mason presents the concert and explained to BBC Radio Bristol how the participatory song came about after she and two BSO musicians went on a ‘fact finding and inspiration sourcing’ mission to six schools across Somerset, in partnership with the Octagon Theatre’s partner schools programme. “Over the last couple of months, I’ve put all those ideas together and have written this new song which is scored for the Orchestra.”

“We’ll probably have about 1600 school children and teachers singing that song alongside the Orchestra. So that’s going to be a fantastic event.” She added, “It’s always lovely to have an opportunity to bring some live musicians into classrooms”.

Jenny Lowe from Somerset Music Hub expressed that the concert “means such a great deal…the arts are so integral to children”. She went on to say that “being able to come out into rural areas with professional musicians and to give younger people that first-hand experience is something that words can’t express […] It’s just wonderful, it’s a coming together. And that’s what music can do, it can really bring everybody together”.

Teacher Beth said, “It’s about ‘From Dusk til Dawn’, that’s the theme of the song. Our children have got some wonderful lines that they’ve come up with […] It’s just inspirational for them too because they’re seeing the Orchestra, they’re getting to sing alongside the Orchestra. Lots of them come back asking to play more instruments as well. It brings music really to life for them.” Student, Thomas, revealed the first line of their co-written song — “The church bell strikes midnight!”

We think we’re in for a treat!

For more information about the event click here

In partnership with The Octagon Theatre & Westlands Entertainment Venue, and supported by Octagon Music Hub, funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education.