Worksop: Talented Outwood students set to wow at BBC Proms

Students at Outwood Academy Portland have been chosen to perform at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Outwood Academy Portland pupils will take on the “once in a lifetime opportunity” of wowing audiences at the prestigious London venue on Saturday.

They were invited to perform at the Proms after taking part in the BBC Ten Pieces project, working with members of the Halle Orchestra and students from Fountaindale School in Mansfield.

As part of the project, the students experimented with melodic elements of Mambo from Bernstein’s West Side story and Habanera by Bizet.

They developed the pieces into motifs which formed the basis of an individual score which was later performed at the Mansfield Palace Theatre in May. The students were “delighted” when they were then contacted by a BBC representative who informed them they had been chosen to perform at the Albert Hall.

Their music teacher, Sally Nelson-Fish, said: “The students were amazed to be chosen and just could not believe it. We are so excited- this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them.”

“Playing alongside members of the Halle orchestra was so inspirational setting the standards that they now want to reach, understanding that music is a universal language that everyone can access.

“Students have been involved in the whole process of composing, realisation and now get to perform their response with a world class orchestra in the famous Royal Albert Hall.

The performance will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 on Saturday 23rd July, 11:00am – 1:00pm, and is being televised on the BBC Red Button on Sunday 24th July, 4:00pm – 6:00pm.