The concerts were given under the baton of BSO Assistant Conductor Tom Fetherstonhaugh, and presented by composer and music leader, James Redwood.

Explore the Orchestra: Dance, Dance, Dance! featured pieces from the world of ballet alongside orchestral classics, especially chosen to get students moving. In total, 4734 students watched the concert at Lighthouse, Poole and 15,918 tuned in via livestream both locally across Dorset and further afield from Cornwall to Yorkshire! Music was included featured Prokoviev’s Romeo and Juliet, Abba’s Dancing Queen, Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, alongside pieces by composer and music leader James Redwood, including an arrangement of the Strictly Come Dancing theme tune.

Read on for some feedback from schools about the performances…

“Thank you very much for offering these concerts. I have attended the last 4/5 and this was the best one. Audience participation was really successful, the programme was perfect for quite young children and we loved listening to each orchestral section being highlighted. Thank you!”  St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School

“It was nice to join in with many other schools and see a real live orchestra.  It was interactive and a new experience for some of us.  We liked the choice of music. It felt magical.” St George’s CE Primary School

“We were able to interact with the orchestra and we had an incredible time. They played the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ music. I’ve never seen a real orchestra before so it was a really good experience. We really liked doing the body percussion and the Makaton signs to the song.” Pokesdown Community Primary School

“I liked that it was a mix of familiar songs and new songs. I think the orchestra played brilliantly. I enjoyed feeling the music as well as listening to it” Kings Park Academy

The concert was also livestreamed, providing an opportunity for schools who couldn’t attend in person to stream the concert. This broadcast is available for 30 days so students are able to catch up until Friday 16 June.

Click here to find out more about Explore the Orchestra: Dance, Dance, Dance!

Skyrme Hart Charitable Trust is kindly supporting the BSO’s programme of Schools’ Concerts across the South West between 2023 and 2028. In addition, Explore the Orchestra: Dance, Dance, Dance! in Poole was generously supported by Dave and Jan Pointer, Talbot Village Trust, Sir Neville and Lady Simms, Christine and Jim Dipple and one anonymous supporter.