THE Royal Opera House Thurrock’s “Trailblazer” schools enjoyed two very different but exciting musical experiences.

More than 600 children from schools across Thurrock joined in with making music and listening to professional musicians from the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers – and the vocal group Sons of Pitches – as the borough resounded to singing and playing.

The Royal Opera House is a partner with Thurrock Council in the cultural entitlement initiative, Thurrock Trailblazer.

The programme is designed to use involvement in the arts to inspire and engage young people, raise aspiration and improve educational attainment.

Children from 11 Trailblazer schools in Thurrock attended the BBC’s Ten Pieces Schools Concert at the Backstage Centre at the High House Production Park, in Purfleet. The concert is part of the BBC’s Ten Pieces project, inspiring children to get creative with classical music.

Gabrielle Forster-Still, deputy head of the Royal Opera House in Thurrock, said: “It was wonderful to be able to give our Trailblazer schools the opportunity to participate in such a great concert.

“They were so enthusiastic and engaged and were so well prepared to listen. They loved the music and I’m sure that will last into their adult lives.”

Sons of Pitches went on to play a show at the Gateway Primary Free School before the performers conducted workshops with the pupils.

Gateway teacher and cultural champion for Trailblazer, Clare Jones, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to the Sons of Pitches for all their hard work on the day.

“The children and staff thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.”

For more information about Thurrock Trailblazer, go to roh.org.uk/learning/learning-inthurrock/ thurrock-trailblazer