In the 28th of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and Redbridge Music Service, whose students will be performing in Wanstead this January
Two main aims of Redbridge Music Society are to promote and support up-and-coming young musicians, especially those residing within the borough, and to bring a diverse range of musical styles and genres to the people of Redbridge. Both aims will be realised when the students of Redbridge Music Service put on a recital in the Churchill Room of Wanstead Library this January.
Based at the John Savage Centre in Barkingside, Redbridge Music Service is the gem in Redbridge’s musical crown. Through the many years of its existence, the service has nurtured numerous talented young musicians, a large number of which have gone on to become professionals.
As part of the levelling-up strategy, the government has recently published a refreshed national plan for music education, building on the existing system of national music education hubs. A cornerstone of the plan is that every music hub establishes a local plan, involving partnerships and opportunities for students to progress and create music together, especially through live performances. To this end, Redbridge Music Service provides a wide range of instrumental and vocal tuition in schools throughout the borough – even at nursery and reception level – with instruments being available for hire from the service’s instrument centre.
In addition, Redbridge Music Service presents about 50 annual concerts, ranging from events at the John Savage Centre to public recitals, such as the Wanstead event and other major events at Redbridge Town Hall. And every two years, Redbridge Music Service puts on the renowned Redbridge Schools’ Choral Festival at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The importance of being involved in music and gaining performance skills cannot be underestimated. Learning a musical instrument can significantly improve important developmental qualities, such as self-confidence, imagination and creativity, memory and coordination skills and communication, team and social skills – all of which also greatly benefit other areas in the school curriculum.
Redbridge Music Service encourages its students to explore music from a wide range of historical periods, genres and traditions. This will certainly be evident at the recital at Wanstead Library when the students will perform an eclectic mix of music and musical styles. Their recitals are always a popular and well-attended event and are now a standard annual feature in Redbridge Music Society’s calendar. Please come along and support our exceptional home-grown talent!
Students of Redbridge Music Service will perform at Wanstead Library on 24 January from 8pm (tickets on the door: £8). Call 07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is supported by Vision RCL and affiliated to Making Music.
