Mega Music Day organised for youngsters

More than 6,000 primary school children from across the Bradford district joined up with a professional orchestra to sing and play music at the city’s Valley Parade football stadium. The open-air Mega Music Day, organised by the Music and Arts Service at school support services firm Education Bradford, is believed to be one of the biggest events of its kind in the country. A morning of rehearsals was followed by a grand performance of a medley of songs, including hits by Queen and Jon Bon Jovi, by children playing brass, woodwind, string and percussion instruments. Throughout the day, children were cajoled and entertained by the MC for the day, Blue Peter’s Barney Harwood, and Education Bradford staff. Vicky Fisher, a Wellington Primary School teacher, said: “We’ve brought 57 children with cellos. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share music together.” Pupil Christian James, aged eight, said: “I started playing the cello in September. It’s good fun. I would like to carry it on after today.” Karen Douglas, music teacher at Byron Primary School, said: “It’s magical to see so many children having a good time and sharing music with each other. “Days like this are important because these are the ones they remember.” Idrees Khan, 11, one of 156 children from the school at the event, said: “I’ve been singing on the pitch. My legs were a bit frozen but I had a great time.” The Southbank Sinfonia orchestra travelled from London to play music for children to sing and play along to, accompanied by members of the Bradford Youth Orchestra. Michael Berman, founder and chairman of the Southbank Sinfonia, said: “Each year we recruit 32 players and give them a development programme which helps them go from great musicians into professionals. “Part of that programme is to do with education and passing on their skills and passion to children younger than them so this is a terrific project. “We don’t do anything like this normally.”