London,
13
November
2013
|
14:24
Europe/London

500 pupils perform at Hackney Music Gala

A sold-out Hackney Empire enjoyed some of the best young musical talent in Hackney at the annual Music Service Gala.

More than 500 performers, from 45 schools, took part in the event on 7 November, which also hosted the inaugural Mayor’s Music Awards, set up by the Mayor of Hackney to celebrate the most promising musicians in the borough. Mayor Jules Pipe announced the results during the Gala.

The winners were:

  • Excellence in Music Education Practice  - Secondary: Mossbourne Community School,  Primary: Queensbridge Primary School 
  • Certificate of Special Acknowledgement: Clapton Girls’ Academy 
  • Instrument Fund for Ensemble Development – Secondary: Cardinal Pole Catholic School, Primary: Betty Layward Primary School
  • Pupil Award for Musical Achievement – Secondary:  Aanu Sodipe – Mossbourne Community Academy, Sophy Leys Johnston – Clapton Girls’ Academy,  Primary: Christina Tran – De Beauvoir Primary School

The Gala included performances from borough-wide ensembles, orchestras and choirs, as well as school groups and partnerships. The Hackney Borough Youth Orchestra performed numbers from musicals, led by conductor Spencer Down, and others performed pop and jazz songs. 

Hackney is home to some incredible young musicians, as the Music Service Gala proved. I’m thrilled that so many people came along to listen to them, and pleased that we are able to provide financial assistance to some of them via the Mayor’s Music Award. As any parent knows, funding music lessons, instruments and competitions can be very costly, but I’m determined that that should not be a barrier to any young person pursuing their passion.
Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney

For more information on Hackney’s Music Service call 020 7241 7408.