Students from Thornhill Academy in Sunderland took World Music Day to a whole new level!
On Friday 21 June, The Firestation and Bridges Shopping Centre hosted a showcase event to launch ‘Sunderland City Music’ – and pupils jumped at the chance to be involved. Bold, brave, and brilliant.
The importance of such an event
The event aimed to showcase emerging local talent from Sunderland secondary schools as part of its aim to make Sunderland a ‘Music City’ and to drive aspirations and ambitions, creating a place where talented people want to study, live and work.
The City Music movement aims to support and encourage music while helping the music economy to develop. A Music City has spaces for education, rehearsal, recording and performance, and fosters the live music scene, which brings economic, employment, cultural and social benefits. It’s an all-rounder!
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “Congratulations to all Thornhill pupils who took part in this celebration. Singing is difficult, and singing in front of people is even harder!
“Your spirited singing surely brought joy and warmth to everyone who had the pleasure of listening, and it’s fantastic that you already have such a huge, unique achievement to tick off at such a young age.
“Keep singing and sharing your passion and gift with Sunderland and beyond!”
Thornhill pupils sing their hearts out
At the Firestation launch event, a Thornhill band – called “Sophia and The Pitcaps” performed The Beatles classic song Eight Days a Week. Beautiful.
Bringing more of the school together and showcasing the power of community, they were supported and watched by their peers from Year 7.
The band consists of budding musicians Sophia, who is in Year 8, and Tyler, William, Leo and Oliver from Year 7. The boys like to wear flat caps, hence the band’s unique name.
Unsurprisingly, the band members are never too far away from the Music Department at Thornhill, practising at every opportunity. And the hard work certainly paid off!
After the lunchtime event, a number of pupils then performed in the Bridges Shopping Centre to continue World Music Day celebrations. Wow, two shows in one day! Taylor Swift could never…
Mark Leadbeater, Thornhill Academy Music Teacher, said: “The opportunity for our young band to have a professional sound check and performance will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
“The Firestation is an incredible venue, and I would not be surprised if some of the young talent on display will be performing there again in the future, and that includes the pupils of Thornhill Academy.”
Cherry Crooks, Assistant Head Teacher at Thornhill Academy, said: “Year 7 had an awesome time at The Firestation, watching our very own school band along with grass root musicians from across the city for National Music Day.
“We are very proud of the band and look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength.”
Thornhill Academy is a Schools North East Partner School. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner Programme, click here.
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