A season of festive fun for our young musicians

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Friday 16 Dec 2022

To celebrate the festive season, thousands of young musicians came together this month to perform in a series of winter concerts.

Audiences joined us in venues across the city offering support (and a few proud tears!) in recognition of the hard work and dedication our young ensembles and choirs have put in this term. We witnessed some unforgettable musical moments, particularly for our brave young musicians performing solo or stepping on to a stage for the very first time.

We also welcomed KS1 and KS2 school groups to St George’s Bristol, Bristol Cathedral and the Spiegeltent to celebrate in song – with 1770 children singing, dancing and spreading some festive musical joy.

Here are a few of our festive highlights:

A group of young people in red tshits smile as their music leader walks in front of the camera wearing a santa outfit — Bristol Youth Choir Singing Sparks 2022 - Credit: Giulia Spadafora | Soul Media

Singing Sparks Winter Concert – St James’ Priory

Members of Bristol Youth Choir Singing Sparks giggled in delight as Music Leader Lucy Hughes walked on stage wearing a Santa jacket. They then performed some festive favourites including ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Jingle Bells’, as well as the entertaining ‘I want a hippopotamus for Christmas’!

Photo by Giulia Spadafora | Soul Media

Musicians holding their instrumentssmile as they come out of a performance — Bristol Youth Orchestra Winter Concert 2022. Photo by Eren Chetin | Soul Media

Bristol Youth Orchestra – Trinity Academy

Musicians are congratulated by conductor Tim Harrison as they walk backstage. 80 of the most talented young musicians in the city returned to the stage after their sell-out summer tour to France and performed pieces including Bernstein’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9.

Photo by Eren Chetin | Soul Media

Children sing at a cathedral carol service — Christmas Carol Service 2022 - Credit: Giulia Spadafora | Soul Media

Schools Carol Service – Bristol Cathedral

610 students from 11 schools almost completely filled Bristol Cathedral for a morning carol service of music, readings and performances accompanied by a live band and the Cathedral Choristers.

Photo by Giulia Spadafora | Soul Media

Three young musicians play brass instruments whille wearing novelty christmas hats and glasses — Small Groups Winter Concert 2022 - Credit: Eren Chetin | Soul Media

Small Groups Winter Concert – Trinity Academy

Members of the Brass Sparks ensemble surprised the audience with their Christmas themed headwear and glasses – and still managed to play traditional carols as well as a performance of The Can Can! The Small Groups concert also featured group, solo and duet pieces from our jazz, guitar and percussion ensembles.

Photo by Eren Chetin | Soul Media

A child enthusiastically sings — Christmas sing at The Spiegeltent 2022 - Credit: Giulia Spadafora | Soul Media

Schools Christmas Sing – The Spiegeltent

One of the day’s ‘Super Singers’ praised for their willingness and enthusiastic singing during the event. Almost 700 KS1 pupils joined us in The Spiegeltent on Bristol Harbourside to sing songs they had all been learning this term – many proudly showing off their Christmas jumpers and handmade festive headwear.

Photo by Giulia Spadafora | Soul Media