RCM Sparks celebrates success 'on the road' at Pimlico Academy

Tuesday 19 December 2017

RCM Sparks recently went on the road for the first time, taking up a two-day residency at Pimlico accedmy to great acclaim. Working with the RCM Philharmonic, conducted by Peter Stark, Rachel Leach presented a lively and informative Sparks Lunchtime concert centred on Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition to 200 pupils from local primary schools within the Tri-Borough Music Hub.

One year 5 teacher commented: 'Our children loved the concert and we spent lots of time discussing it afterwards. Thank you from all of us for helping to provide the children with such a wonderful experience.'

On the second day of the residency 30 'gifted and talented' pupils from the Tri-borough area come together for a workshop with Leach and RCM Sparks student mentors. Pupils learned extracts from Pictures at an Exhibition and devised their own piece around the themes it contains. The pupils later performed alongside the RCM Philharmonic to an audience of Year 7 and instrumental pupils from Pimlico Academy.

A headteacher from one of the Westminster partner schools commented: 'Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the concert. It was really was a fantastic experience and, though it might sound cliched, I think that hearing a live orchestra is an event that can inspire children for life. Thank you so very much from us to the whole team.'

The RCM wishes to express its sincerest thanks to The Fishmongers’ Company, without whose generous support the residency would not have been able to take place. We are also immensely grateful to the John Lewis Partnership for their support of training for the RCM Student mentors and the Philharmonic Orchestra.