Bracknell

Bracknell Children perform at St Joseph's Church in Bracknell. Talented young singers took part in a special concert organised to celebrate music in schools across the borough last week (February 22).

Held at St Josephs Church in Bracknell the concert, entitled 'A Festival of Song', was the musical climax of a two-term choral project run in five Bracknell Forest Borough Council primary schools by Berkshire Young Musicians Trust (BYMT).

Children from Birch Hill, Wildridings, St. Joseph's, Crown Wood and Harmans Water Bracknell primary schools were joined by singers from borough-wide children's choir, Bracknell Voice, to perform.

Peter Hunt of BYMT led the performance in front of an audience of the children's teachers, family and friends which included a wide range of modern and older songs from around the world.

Bracknell Cllr Mrs Jacqui Ryder, Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest and a keen singer herself, said: "Singing teaches our children invaluable skills like concentration and discipline. It also builds confidence and teaches them how to work together in a team.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the concert which was great fun for the children and the audience too. It was an excellent show and I saw a number of proud headteachers in the audience along with a very proud Mayor!"

Any child who lives in Bracknell Forest and is aged between seven and 11 who would like to exercise their vocal chords can join Bracknell Voice.

It's a free choir that meets on Wednesday's at St Joseph's Church Hall in Bracknell town centre from 4.30 to 5.30pm during term time.

Bracknell Voice was set up in September 2004 thanks to a grant from Youth Music and since then has received financial support from Bracknell based companies Boehringer Ingelheim and Panasonic.

Mary Sefton, Music Advisory Teacher for Bracknell Forest, runs Bracknell Voice and is on the look out for new members.

She ssaid: "Bracknell Voice has some enthusiastic young singers of varying abilities and we are always keen to have more members.

"Singing in a choir really makes a difference to children's confidence, self-esteem and social skills as well as developing musicianship so there is lots to gain.

"And there's free parking and time for parents or carers to nip into town to do a bit of shopping or have a coffee while their child is enjoying some singing practice."

For more information on joining Bracknell Voice contact Mary Sefton on tel: 01189 936 6424.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council