In the 50th of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces Redbridge Music Service, whose students will be performing in Wanstead this month
Two essential aims of Redbridge Music Society are to promote 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.
Redbridge Music Service is based at the John Savage Centre in Hainault, and throughout its long existence has nurtured numerous talented young musicians, very many of whom have gone on to pursue careers in music.
Redbridge Music Service is part of the East London Music Alliance (ELMA), held in high esteem for its provision of exceptionally high-quality music education. ELMA’s vision is to establish opportunities for students of local music services to progress and create music together, especially via 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.
Redbridge Music Service also provides opportunities for its students to perform music together, and every year presents over 50 local concerts, ranging from those at the John Savage Centre to public recitals, such as our Wanstead Library event and other major events at Redbridge Town Hall. Every two years there is also the highly successful and well-renowned Redbridge Schools’ Choral Festival at the Royal Albert Hall.
Being involved in musical activities and the acquisition of performance skills can be very beneficial for a young person’s development, and learning to play a musical instrument can significantly improve important developmental qualities, such as self-confidence, imagination and creativity, memory and co-ordination skills and communication, team and social skills, skills 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 and genres, and this will be evident at the recital at Wanstead Library when the students will perform an eclectic mix of music and musical styles. Their recitals are a standard annual feature in Redbridge Music Society’s calendar and are always popular and well-attended events.
Please come along and support Redbridge’s young and home-grown musical talent!
The recital will take place at Wanstead Library on 20 January from 8pm (tickets on the door: £9). Call 07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is affiliated to Making Music.
