Page 7 - index

We aimed to develop performers’ skills
through joining in with an enormous mixed
ability group, and we successfully mixed
players of different skill levels to sit through
the orchestra and choir to learn from each
other. 70% of participants thought the
event enhanced their sight-reading ability,
and 48% thought it gave them increased
confidence in public performance. One
participant commented “great to have
the chance to play new music in a
relaxed environment with little pressure”,
which shows our atmosphere was
welcoming to all, just as we had aimed. Additionally, 42% of participants were aged list - if you’d like to see a Big Christmas Wind
under 35, the key target group that we were Orchestra event in your city soon, let us know.
We hope our event is an inspiration for trying to reach (identified by our partner
everyone to join a band or choir or the rest Making Music as a difficult to reach and The Big Christmas Wind Orchestra and
of the year; music is for life, not just for retain group in amateur music making). Choir is best summarised in the words of
Christmas! Surveys after the event showed Through targeted promotion of resources, some of our participants: “My favourite gig
22% of our performers do not make music such as Making Music’s online tool to of the whole year”, “Great atmosphere,
regularly throughout the year, which is a find groups across the country, we also love the mix of abilities”, “Made me feel all
surprisingly large proportion given that all inspired our young performers to festive and happy” and “just so Christmassy!”
performers had to be prepared to perform make more music throughout the year.
in public with a group of musicians they You can find out more about the Big
had not met before. Of these, 100% of the What’s next for the Big Christmas Wind Christmas Wind Orchestra and Choir at
respondents to our follow-up survey were Orchestra and Choir? Surprisingly, a www.bigchristmaswindorchestra.org
inspired to find other groups and make music summer event! We had planned to launch email info@bigchristmaswindorchestra.org,
throughout the year from now on, an excellent a summer extravaganza in 2020, in or find us on Facebook, Twitter and
outcome for another key aim of our activity. another central London location and with Instagram - we’re always keen to welcome
more popular seasonal music, but as with new performers and collaborations.
many events this year, things have been
put on hold. We’re also hoping to grow our Adam Funnell
Christmas event to other cities around the Big Christmas Wind Orchestra and Choir Co-ordinator
UK, with Leeds or Manchester top of the

................................................................................................. .................................................................................................
6