Hundreds gather for Redbridge recorder festival
Redbridge School's recorder festival at St Mary's CHurch. - Credit: Archant
More than 100 primary school pupils took part at this year’s Redbridge Schools Recorder Festival.
From classical numbers to smooth blues, young musicians performed for parents, teachers and friends at two packed events last week.
The first was held at St Mary’s Church, in High Road, South Woodford on Tuesday, followed by a second performance the next day at St Mary the Virgin church in High Road, Ilford, where MP for Ilford South Mike Gapes made an appearance.
Taking part were pupils from Chadwell, Uphall, William Torbitt and Farnham Green primary schools who performed Bach’s Minuet in G major and the Fast Food Song before finishing with an African-style piece for the finale.
The festival also featured solo performances from Deveena Kalaria who played Carmen on the recorder and Peter Stevens who played the Chinese gourd pipe – a bamboo flute popular in southern China.
Organiser Maggie Goble from Redbridge Music Service said: “It’s always fantastic to see the children performing together but it’s even more special when they come from all over the borough and play to a wider audience.”
Recorder lessons take place every Thursday evening at Redbridge Music Service’s centre in Fencepiece Road, Barkingside. Call 0208 501 3944 or visitredbridgemusic.org.uk
