Schools’ orchestra plays in Andalucia

Oct 30 2008 by Debbie Spalding, West Lothian Courier

A GROUP of young musicians have performed on the international stage.

Some 45 teenagers have just performed at a concert in Spain during their tour of Seville, in Andalusia.

The West Lothian Schools’ Symphony Orchestra is the latest to experience the excitement of performing overseas following in the footsteps of West Lothian Schools’ Brass Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band.

The orchestra has performed three concerts during its week-long visit to the historic Andalusian capital.

The first and last were in Seville at the cultural centre, Centro Civico Cultural and at the church Iglesia Sagrados Corazones Padres Blancos.

In between, the orchestra traveled to nearby Carmona to perform at the Iglesias de Santiago church.

The orchestra is one of the Instrumental Music Service’s newest ensembles and its members attend schools across the county and range in age from 14 to 18.

As well as performing for the people of Seville the musicians broke up their daily rehearsal schedule with visits to experience the culture of Andalusia.

These visits took in the historic sites of the Royal Palace of Seville, the Roman City of Italica, La Real Meastranza Bull Ring and the La Giralda Bell Tower as well as the Isla Magica park.