ACS Cobham students perform with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

On December 11th, 250 students from Cobham and across Surrey came together for a first-of-its kind event to perform popular West End hits alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and West End professionals at G Live in Guildford.

Jointly organised by ACS International Schools and the RPO, A Night at the West End gave students from nine state primary schools*, including Leatherhead Trinity School and West Ashtead Primary School, the opportunity to play, sing and perform West End classics, including Food Glorious Food and Just Can’t Wait to be King. The event was a culmination of rehearsals with the RPO and workshops with partner Performing Perfectly, which lent its expertise in theatre to help students hone their performance skills ahead of the evening.

Lisa Rickett, Teacher at Thorpe Lea Primary School, said: “The day was absolutely brilliant and so well organised; we are thrilled to have been a part of such a special day. Our children have gained so much from the opportunity and watching them engage with experts, such as the RPO, has been wonderful.”

Barnaby Sandow BEM, Head of School at ACS International School Cobham, said:

At ACS Cobham, we are committed to providing enriched learning opportunities for all, including our wider community. Tonight’s A Night at the West End performance provided a superb platform for young people to learn from, and engage with, leading professionals from around the world. With the support of the RPO, we hope to continue inspiring students’ creativity and nurture their artistic growth to create a supportive performing arts eco-system within schools.

A Night at the West End is the first of many events to come out of ACS International Schools’ unique year-long partnership with the RPO, which aims to enhance both the international school group and local state schools’ arts education provision by giving students exclusive access to world-class musical and production experiences with the UK’s most prestigious professional musicians.

Tia K, a Grade 12 student at ACS Cobham, said: “I think what ACS partnerships has achieved is fantastic. Being able to pull together so many schools is just a great experience for everyone. Especially with it being with the RPO it allows all the musicians to come together and work with those we admire. It is a once in a lifetime experience to play my guitar alongside and part of the RPO. This will be an experience I will never forget, and it will inspire me for my future.”

The event also celebrates the ACS International Schools’ exciting new Arts Pathway programme, which launches next year and will engage talented students in the creative arts.

Huw Davies, Deputy Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, said: “The RPO is proud to be collaborating with ACS International Schools, supporting the Arts Pathway programme. Together, the RPO and ACS International Schools are providing a range of opportunities that allow students from ACS International Schools and their partner schools to engage in music-making initiatives alongside members of the Orchestra.

“This most recent project at G Live has provided students of all ages and abilities with the opportunity to perform with professional musicians at a commercial arts venue, developing students’ confidence and creativity and raising aspirations for the future. The RPO looks forward to developing its partnership with ACS International Schools and to collaborating on many more exciting live performance projects in the future.”