Lyme Regis: Youngsters take to the stage for musical performance (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Lyme Regis: Youngsters take to the stage for musical performance

10:56am Thursday 4th February 2010

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MORE than 100 young people took to the stage in Lyme Regis for a musical performance they had spent months preparing for.

Lyme Regis youth music project B Sharp has been working with local schools on a project that reached its finale with two performances at the Marine Theatre on Friday.

Trainee music leaders from B Sharp led workshops at Charmouth Primary School, Mrs Ethelston’s Primary School in Uplyme, and Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis.

They aimed to change the negative image of teenagers and allow young people to express themselves through music.

The groups worked towards the final production, called Humanity, which explored the facets of humankind.

Michelle Knight, a Year 10 pupil at Woodroffe, said: “Hopefully it helps to counter the general opinion that young people today only cause trouble.

“Workshops and jams have built lots of young people’s confidence.”

Tom Orchard, a Year 6 pupil from Charmouth, said: “The B Sharp project was fantastic – I was singing so much my jaw nearly fell off!”

Mrs Ethelston’s teacher Clare Rinaldi said both the pupils and staff have enjoyed taking part in the project.

She said: “The volunteers inspired and engaged our children in excellent musical experiences. They learned how to work as a team and how small parts contribute to a whole performance.

“They learned how to express themselves through their music and how much dedication is needed.”

The B Sharp initiative has been partly funded by Youth Music, an independent children’s charity helping young people access music making opportunities.

Youth Music’s regional executive Georgie Goddard was at Friday’s performance.

She said: “It was truly fantastic to see the impact of Youth Music’s funding on so many children and young people.

“I was very impressed with the music leaders’ ability to inspire and challenge the young participants, the diverse range of musical genres – certainly some blues and jazz detected there alongside loads else – and the way everyone worked so well together.”

l B Sharp welcomes new members. For more information contact project leader Fran Williams on 07968 177663.

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