Our School Orchestra enjoyed a truly unforgettable experience this week as they performed on the iconic stage of the Liverpool Empire Theatre — one of Europe’s largest two-tier theatres, welcoming audiences of up to 2,350 people.

 

This incredible opportunity was the result of months of hard work, dedication and creativity from our talented musicians. Since the start of the year, students have been working alongside composer Cameron Lythgoe to create their own original music inspired by Beauty Personified, a collection of six contrasting virtues: love, generosity, eloquence, passion, vitality and purity.

 

The project formed part of the English National Ballet school programme, accompanying the story of Sleeping Beauty through a unique combination of live performance, composition and creativity.

 

The orchestra had the honour of opening the entire show, performing Tchaikovsky’s iconic Sleeping Beauty Overture before transitioning into their own compositions based around the six virtues. These pieces were not simply rehearsed arrangements — they were original works created by our students themselves, showcasing their imagination, musical understanding and incredible talent.

 

Being the only school performing live music during the event made the occasion even more special. Performing on such a prestigious stage in front of a large audience was a huge achievement and a wonderful recognition of the commitment and passion shown by our students throughout the project.

 

A particular highlight of the performance was Year 8 student Jessie, who performed a beautiful viola solo to accompany the performance from JMU. Despite the pressure of performing in such an iconic venue, Jessie showed incredible confidence and composure, and we are incredibly proud of her achievement.

 

As well as the performance itself, the students enjoyed making the most of their time in Liverpool. Following their sound check, they visited the famous Cavern Club and explored the Albert Dock, making the day a fantastic celebration of music, culture and teamwork.

 

The experience was a fantastic example of the opportunities available to our students and highlighted the creativity, ambition and talent within our orchestra. From composing their own music to performing on one of the country’s most famous stages, this is a moment our students will remember for many years to come.

 

A huge congratulations to everyone involved — we are incredibly proud of you all!