Musical saucepans, swinging schoolboys and classical chamber music will be among the performances which thousands of primary pupils will hear at a concert next week.
More than 100 London schools will send pupils to the Primary Proms on Monday.
The concert, held at London’s Royal Festival Hall, will give 5,400 primary children the chance to hear an eclectic range of live music for free.
The 10th annual Prom, run by outreach group Music For Youth, and sponsored by The TES, will include a performance of swing and scat classics by a boys’ choir from Gayhurst independent primary in Buckinghamshire. Alleyn’s school, in the London borough of Southwark, will perform new and old chamber music.
Percussion School, a community group based in Kent, will play upbeat musical numbers on household items, including chairs, cutlery, saucepans and wine bottles.
Alan Wright, head of Wanstead Church primary, in the London borough of Redbridge, intends to send pupils to the concert.
He said: “Youngsters tend to gravitate towards more modern, pop music. So they often come away surprised at how much they enjoyed it, and having gained an appreciation of classical works.”
And Mr Wright, too, may gain a new appreciation for unexpected music:
“After hearing the percussion group, the sound of banging chairs and cutlery in the school dining room might now sound more musical.”
