A Royal Workshop

An incredible 70 children and young people took part in some inspirational instrumental workshops with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) in Crawley recently. 

The groups were also treated to a performance by the RPO the following weekend. 

The RPO is a professional orchestra based in London that regularly performs at The Hawth in Crawley and worked in partnership with West Sussex Music to offer the free workshops. 

In total 32 children from Crawley primary schools took part in the morning RPO Creative Music workshop led by Sam Mason, and supported by professional musicians from RPO, which took place on Saturday 10 February at Three Bridges Primary School in Crawley. Over the course of the morning, they worked on an incredibly creative take on ‘Sleeping Beauty’ with a performance to families at the end. 

In the afternoon 38 young people from across West Sussex had the opportunity to take part in an orchestral workshop for more advanced instrumental students of grade 5 and above where they worked on Tchaikovsky’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. 

The following weekend, on Sunday 18 February, children and young people from both workshops along with their parents and carers had the exclusive opportunity to watch the RPO in rehearsal where many took the chance to talk to performers and find out more.  

James Underwood, Chief Executive of West Sussex Music, said:   

“This opportunity is something which just doesn’t happen very often, and for so many children and young people from Crawley and elsewhere to be able to learn from the RPO in these free workshops, and then get the chance to not just watch the RPO in rehearsal but actually get to talk to the performers is something truly inspiring which will, no doubt, last with them for a very long time. A huge thank you to RPO, The Hawth and Three Bridges Primary for making this all possible ” 

For more information on upcoming music classes, holiday activities and more go here.