In these special performances,on 21 & 22 May, symphonic music will be fused with the written word, and students will be able to explore how the oceans have ignited the musical imaginations of so many. It’s time to set your masts, prepare your sails and open your ears to music celebrating nautical landscapes far and wide.

Explore the Orchestra will include music from Tchaikovsky’s The Tempest, James Redwood’s Enchanted Isle, Badelt/Zimmer’s Pirates of the Caribbean, Debussy’s Dialogue of the Wind and the Sea from La Mer and You’re Welcome from Moana…to name but a few! As always there’ll be a special participatory song, composed and led by James, as well as a newly composed body percussion piece created in collaboration with schools in Portsmouth. Students will learn to sing and perform with the Orchestra, and be introduced to the many instruments that comprise a full Symphony Orchestra.

Read on for some recent feedback from some of our schools concerts:

“We had the privilege of attending a Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra concert at Exeter University Great Hall. There were around 75 instrumentalists which was an overwhelming sight. The atmosphere was wonderful and the music filled the room.” Anya

“Thank you for taking us to the concert, it was really fun. I think that the orchestra was incredible. It was really different to hear music being played live than a recorded version. I would definitely recommend other people to go to listen to a live orchestra.” Ava

“I don’t think I’d ever experienced anything quite like it before – seeing concerts on television don’t do the real thing justice! Being much more used to rock concerts, I kept having to remind myself that it was the raw noise, no amplifiers or effects!” Toby

If you’d love your students to experience this concert live or in digital form, click here for more details. And hear more about the concert from James in the video below!