Big Racket  

BIG RACKET 4

26.06.12 Strings & guitars

27.06.12 Woodwind, brass, keyboard & percussion

(rehearsals from 4.15, concerts 7.00 – 8.15)

The Tennis Arena, St Mary’s College, Twickenham

Young players from schools across the borough, most of whom began learning through the Wider Opportunities programme, are busy preparing for this year’s Big Racket concerts. This year we are also including beginner and early Grade 1 players from school ensembles who would normally attend the Instrumental Day. The children will be performing massed items with Richmond Music Trust’s senior ensembles, including the Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Richmond Youth Concert Band. The concerts also feature RMT’s instrumental teachers, many of whom are professional performers. The children gain such a lot from taking part, as those of you who have come along to previous Big Racket concerts will know. We hope you will support your young players and celebrate their achievements, both in school and by joining us at St Mary’s College. 

The Big Racket is a celebration of two important aspects of the Trust’s work; our Wider Opportunities programme and our instrumental ensembles. Originally held in July 2009, Big Racket 2 followed in July 2010 and Big Racket 3 in July 2011. The event takes place in the vast Tennis Arena at St Mary’s College, Twickenham, which is transformed into an impressive concert venue for the occasion. Each concert focuses on different instrumental groups:

• strings and guitars
• woodwind brass keyboard and percussion

The concerts are designed to give the many young players learning through the Wider Opportunities programme the experience of playing together in a huge band or orchestra with advanced players from RMT ensembles. The children are joined by RMT instrumental and vocal teachers, many of whom are professional performers, and also by special guest musicians. 

We hope that by playing together in this unique event and seeing and hearing, at first hand, what more experienced musicians can do, the children will be inspired to continue their musical journey in the future.

‘Congratulations for the great experience of the Big Racket. Fab responses from parents. I had one parent who beforehand had said that her son would not be continuing with 'cello because she thought that he was doing too much, but after going to the Big Racket she asked me for an application form. She was really inspired by it. I think that the children are, too, when they see and hear other 'children' playing so wonderfully.’
(Primary School Music Coordinator)

"The kids had the most amazing evening and they are absolutely buzzing about it now.  To see that level of enjoyment was really something special.  Their concentration was brilliant too, some of the participating children don't achieve much academically so it was great to give them the opportunity to succeed in something.  Matt has been brilliant with them, they've loved every second of their extra time'

(Primary school Music Coordinator)

"Please can you pass on our thanks to everyone at Richmond Music Trust involved in the planning and delivery of Big Racket 3. It was a fantastic event and, as two full-time working parents who hardly ever get to school assemblies etc, lovely to have the opportunity to see our son playing the viola. My son was totally buzzing after the event - full of confidence and certainly inspired!"
(Mother of Primary school child)