Chiswick ArtsEd Students In BBC Concert
Star Michael Ball hosts night of musical theatre favourites
Over sixty Arts Education (ArtsEd) students were involved in a BBC Radio 2 concert this week, hosted by musical theatre star Michael Ball and broadcast to an audience of a million listeners. It was the first such event for the school and was a resounding success.
The school entered into the special collaboration with BBC Radio 2’s ‘Friday Night is Music Night’ as the programme dedicated an entire show to ArtsEd’s stars of tomorrow. The students, many of whom live in Chiswick, took to the stage of the Mermaid Theatre on Friday (19 October) to perform alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Richard Balcombe.
Students pictured with Michael Ball
Thirteen soloists and a chorus of fifty singers performed a celebration of musical theatre classics 'From Broadway To Hollywood', with songs from musicals including Oklahoma, 42nd Street, Chicago and Evita.
The soloists were; Emily Dunn, Grace Eccle, Flo Fields, Rosie Fletcher, Carolina Gregory, Aimee Hodnett, Jessica Daley, Greg Austin, Ethan Bradshaw, Ben Fenner, Robin Lake, Leo Roberts, and Jordan Shaw.
In concert
Anthony Cherry, Executive Producer of ‘Friday Night is Music Night’, said: “We heard great things about ArtsEd and were consequently keen to work with the students, but during the auditions we were blown away by the combination of talent and skill on offer. Their training is of the highest order and this programme promised a great night of entertainment.”
Chris Hocking, Director of the School of Musical Theatre and Deputy Principal of ArtsEd, added: “This is a wonderful opportunity, for the school and for the students who learned an enormous amount through working with Michael Ball, the prestigious BBC Concert Orchestra and Anthony and his team of BBC professionals.”
The concert audiance included many of the students' parents and actor Robert Lindsay was also there.
Host Michael Ball commented on the great range of talent and confidence of the third years. For many it was their first such public performance and they rose to the challenge of performing live with the full orchestra.
The ArtsEd Ensemble also gave a flawless performance.
At the end of the concert, Michael Ball performed 'This Is The Moment' from the musical Jekyll & Hyde, joined by the Soloists and Chorus.
Chorus Master was Dane Preece.
October 20, 2012