Orchestra in Residence

Sixth Form link with Blackpool Symphony Orchestra

SIXTH FORM MUSICIANS AND PERFORMERS TO BENEFIT FROM ORCHESTRA IN RESIDENCE

 

Blackpool Sixth Form and the Blackpool Symphony Orchestra are linking to provide an outstanding educational experience for musicians in Blackpool.

Blackpool Symphony Orchestra will become the Sixth Form's 'Orchestra in Residence' which will give Music and Performing Arts students the opportunity to work alongside experienced orchestral musicians and perform and conduct a full orchestra.

This will be the first orchestral residency in the country to be adopted by a sixth form college and confirms that Blackpool Sixth Form is at the forefront of providing outstanding education through their exciting range of music courses, fantastic facilities and strong links with the community.

Blackpool Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1920 by Percy Dayman, has been presenting their concerts at the Sixth Form since 1995 and aims to be at the centre of Blackpool cultural life and to be the classical music orchestra, firmly anchored in the town, which people come to for their musical pleasure.

Blackpool Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Brian Harper, comments, "There are few fields more competitive than music, be it for university places or employment, and the link with Blackpool Sixth Form will give students a significant advantage. The chance to perform with, and particularly conduct and record, an adult symphony orchestra is one which is far from commonplace and may even be unique in the country."

"The opportunity to hear and direct their own composition with a live orchestra will be a great and possibly more exciting experience than using computer software, however sophisticated, and offers a new dimension to a student's portfolio."

Ian Carten, Head of Performing Arts and Music at Blackpool Sixth Form, commented, "The link with Blackpool Symphony Orchestra will be extremely beneficial to our students who study Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies, Music, Music Technology and Performing Arts. It will provide them with invaluable experience of working with musicians in the community which will enhance their CVs and opportunities for the future."