ACS and the RPO host A Night at the West End, at G Live - ACS Hillingdon

09/01/2024

ACS and the RPO host A Night at the West End, at G Live

On December 11th, 250 students from Hillingdon and across London 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 Hayes Park School and Colham Manor 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.

Jan Harvey-Davies, Assistant Headteacher at Colham Manor Primary School, said: “We had an amazing day at A Night at the West End. It was incredible witnessing our children develop their self-confidence skills and creativity onstage, alongside leading professionals at the RPO. We are so grateful to have been invited.”

Martin Hall, Head of School at ACS International School Hillingdon, said:

“Today’s inaugural event expands on the success of the long-standing partnerships that ACS Hillingdon already has with prominent organisations in the arts sector for the benefit of today’s learners. With this exciting new collaboration, we aim to build on this legacy and broaden access to music for our students and also for our partner schools across London.

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.

Alice, a student at ACS Hillingdon said: “I’ve had such a good time tonight and the whole experience was amazing. My favourite part of the day was meeting the RPO. I have learnt so much from them.” The event also celebrates the ACS International Schools’ exciting new IBCP Theatre Arts 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 Theatre Arts 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.”

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