CHULMLEIGH Community College was recently visited by Will Goodchild, a professional composer, musician and associate conductor with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO).

He spent time with 37 of the college’s young instrumentalists and took them through their paces rehearsing for today, Friday, March 9’s performance, when young musicians from across Devon will join members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for a massed ensemble celebration of the Ten Pieces programme as part of Devon Music Education Hub’s Orchestral Extravaganza.

The "Ten Pieces Programme" involves arrangements of some of the great works for orchestra: the three pieces that the Chulmleigh students have been learning are Purcell’s "Rondeau" from Abeldazzar, Bizet’s "Toreador’s Song" from Carmen and Copland’s "Hoedown" from Rodeo.

The evening will feature performances from the Devon Youth Concert Orchestra, Exeter University Brass Ensemble, the Devon Double Reeds Ensemble and a select BSO ensemble.

The highlight will be the performances from a massed orchestra made up of hundreds of young musicians showcasing the results of their workshop sessions with the BSO team.

The concert will take place at 7pm at Exeter University Great Hall and tickets, priced at £3, are available from Exeter Phoenix box office.

Alan Quick