Hundreds of pupils from seven local schools pre-record “Together” concert

AN annual schools concert in Westbury was pre-recorded for online and radio airings, with a theme of ‘Together’ as a nod to the adversity of the past year and how we can unite through difficult times. 

235 children from seven local schools took part in the event which was shown twice on Youtube and can be heard throughout July on Matravers Radio. Tune in at https://www.matravers.wilts.sch.uk/Matravers-Radio/  

Michal Sorga, head of music at Matravers School, told White Horse News, “The annual Westbury Schools concert is always a joyous event. Think a packed school hall, 200 children, eight backstage rooms, 5,000 biscuits and you’re starting to get the idea.  

“It is always amazing to bring the Westbury schools together for one evening of celebrating and sharing. Last year, the concert was due to happen on 18thMarch, the day before we locked down; so it was a last minute cancellation. This year? Well, we picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off and got on with it.” 

Supported by Wiltshire Music Connect, the music hub for Wiltshire, the schools followed all the guidance and pre-recorded the event for Youtube. 

Michal said, “The concert included two joint songs with all of the schools on them. These were ‘I’ll be There for You’ (the theme from ‘Friends’) and a song commissioned by Wiltshire Music Connect called ‘Together’, which became the finale of the concert. In the joint items, each school has the opportunity to take on a solo section and shine individually.” 

Schools also had the opportunity to perform items of their own, including a poem and a solo guitarist from Westbury Junior school, a Y2 choir from Dilton Marsh primary school and a Y6 choir from Bratton School who sang The Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun. Bitham Brook School did a WW2 themed performance, including some original poetry written by a student, and The White Cliffs of Dover. Matravers School showcased both their junior and senior choirs in socially distanced performances. Westbury Infant School and Westbury Leigh Primary school also contributed to the concert. 

Michal thanked Westbury Lions for their continued support and spotlighting of music in schools.