Tonbridge teenagers end two-year music project on a high note with special concert

A two-year music initiative for Tonbridge teenagers reached its climax on Sunday with a special concert.

The Orchestra ONE project, funded by the Rochester Bridge Trust, ended with a final performance led by musical director James Redwood.

Orchestra ONE, the Orchestra of New Experiences, aimed to reach young music enthusiasts from Medway, Maidstone and Tonbridge who do not usually have the opportunity to take part in shared music making activities.

Music charities Kent Music and Rhythmix managed and delivered the project offering four series of free workshops for young musicians, aged 12 to 19 years, followed by rehearsals and performances with other musicians and a musical director.

The final concert, staged at the New Line Learning Academy, Maidstone, saw Mr Redwood leading the performers through a series of compositions of their own creation inspired by the River Medway.

Sue Threader, Bridge Clerk for the Rochester Bridge Trust, said: "The young musicians gave us a really good concert to mark the end of the two-year project and I am sure that they will have benefited greatly from the experience.

"During the project, Kent Music and Rhythmix have also given them the chance to work with a number of acclaimed musicians as directors including Peter Wareham, Tim Steiner and Matt Wright.

"And their achievements were recognised when Orchestra ONE gained the Music award in Medway Council's Culture and Design Awards 2012.

"Orchestra ONE has been an imaginative programme working with youth service providers to reach young people who often find it difficult to access music-making activities.

"The Bridge Trust has been pleased to support this initiative over its first two years and we hope the groundwork has now been done for the programme to continue for young people in Kent and Medway."