Coombeshead Academy Newsletter - Issue 61

ROCKING THE DEVON COUNTY SHOW!
The Bushell Youth Community Orchestra, the
Coombeshead Academy Folk Group and Soul
Band wowed the crowd at one of Devon’s
highest profile events on Thursday 18 th May 2017.
The ensembles were invited to play at the
prestigious event by the Devon Music Education
Hub and managed to fit the event into their
already packed performance diaries.
Upon arriving at the Exeter Westpoint Arena, the
students were thrilled to discover that they were
due to perform on the big main stage with a full
PA system and space for a large audience.
EXPRESSIVE ARTS
CHRISTOW
As the time ticked just past lunchtime the food court was already busy just as BYCO started their
performance. As they started to play even more people gathered to enjoy their lunch and more importantly,
to enjoy the music. The music they performed included The Pink Panther, Oliver!, In the Hall of the Mountain
King and Pirates of the Caribbean.
The audience were impressed with such a young orchestra performing to such a high standard and the
organisers of the event have already asked could they perform again next year.
The Soul Band performed a 25 minute set
which included some old soul classics
and also soul versions of current pieces
of contemporary music.
The Folk Group followed on from the Soul
Band and continued to impress and
amaze the Devon County Show
audience. Performing original renditions
of sea-shanties, traditional folk songs and
contemporary classics the nine folk
musicians filled the stage with great live
music.
Many members of the public
commented on how professional, talented, and pleasing to the ear the band were, with some even making
the mistake of thinking they were listening to a recording!
The students were a credit to Coombeshead Academy and really enjoyed the experience of performing for
such a large audience.
The talented young musicians here at Coombeshead continue to challenge the distinction between ‘school
group’ and ‘professional working bands’.
Coombeshead Academy, Coombeshead Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 1PT Tel: 01626 201800 Email: welcome@coombesheadacademy.org.uk