Arden's orchestra was amazing at the National Festival of Music for Youth yesterday! They ran on, led by a girl with an olympic torch, to shouts of "We are the champions". Then the 80 or so musicians launched into the first in a series of five pieces about sport. They played beautifully.
Of the 18 groups playing, they were one of the best. Not the best - that prize should go to some of the extraordinary brass bands. Not the most topical - that accolade belongs to St Mary's RC Primary School Choir in London who sang a blistering piece about children's rights about the UN Declaration of the RIghts of a Child.
They didn't win, but what an incredible experience. The venue itself was easy to get around: good level access, accessible toilets (locked with a RADAR key, though a little too heavy to open with ease). Parking was a little too far away. Let's hope we're back again next year!
