MORE than 1,600 school children got in to the festival spirit as they enjoyed live music.
Children from across Dorset headed to the Redlands Sports Hub for Dorset Music Service’s Mash Up Festival.
They enjoyed performances from five professional acts on the main stage, including RSVP Bhangra Band, Black Sheep and an acoustic set from Nigel Clarke, the lead singer of the band Dodgy.
A second stage and six marquees provided workshops and further performances in a variety of genres.
Workshops included African and junk drumming, utterly butterly ukuleles, body percussion, musical theatre, Bhangra dancing, vocals and beat boxing.
Children also had a chance to get hands on with instruments and compose their own songs with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
An evening concert also took place and it gave young musicians an opportunity to perform alongside professional musicians.
Students performed as part of the Reel Dorset folk group, Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra, Dorset Youth Voices and Pop Club.
Nigel Clarke made a guest appearance alongside Pop Club before performing an acoustic set to close the festival.
Cllr Mark Tewkesbury, local county councillor for Broadwey, said: “Learning to play an instrument or even just being around other performers is an essential part of every child’s education. I am thrilled to hear that so many young people were able to take part in what sounds like an amazing day at the Mash Up Festival. On behalf of the Dorset Music Service I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped make this event so successful and was enjoyed by so many.”
The festival was largely funded by Arts Council England and supported by volunteers from DCC.
For more information about the Dorset Music Service and how you could get involved, please visit www.dorsetforyou.com/music
Wyvern Academy was one of the schools that attended the event.
A teacher from the school said that they all had a great time and that feed back from staff and students was “really enthusiastic”, adding that it was well organised at a great venue.
Students from the school enjoyed taking part in a junk percussion workshop and listening and dancing to the Bhangra band.
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