Last Night At the Proms was a few months ago, but there was still time for a Music For Youth Prom last week at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall. Celebrating its 50th birthday the event brought together some 200 talented juniors for two nights of gala concerts presented by saxophonist-composer-educator Yolanda Brown. On stage were small groups, chamber ensembles, rock bands and orchestras, all drawn from up an down the country and committed to high standards of performance.
Catching the ear were Greater Gwent Youth Jazz Orchestra, Bridgend County Symphonic Brass andYouthsayers, [mentored by Robin Hopcraft of Soothsayers] who performed Extinction, inspired by environmental issues, and a version of Fela Kuti’s Zombie, which has a strong message of resistance to government oppression. [KLG]