On Wednesday 15th April Canford School Senior Band hosted Manchester University Wind Orchestra (MUWO), one of the finest wind orchestras in the country, and their conductor, Philip Robinson, who is also chairman of the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles.

MUWO gave a rousing performance of Holst's First Suite for Military Band to the audience of Senior Band members and parents/friends. It was a great chance to hear a top class wind orchestra perform. Canford’s Head of Woodwind, Ruth Partington was then the soloist in a performance of the Pre-Goodman Rag for solo clarinet and wind orchestra - a great show piece and thoroughly enjoyable.

Having seen how it is done, Canford Senior Band was then invited up on stage to join forces with MUWO. Philip Robinson led the masterclass conducting a Suite of English Folksongs by Ernst Tomlinson for the combined band. This was a challenging piece for Canford musicians but having the University players next to them really helped lead them along and they rose to the challenge. After a brief run-through and practice of tricky sections the massed band was able to give a worthy performance of the work.

The evening was a fantastic chance for our musicians to learn from experienced players and to have a go at playing some really challenging repertoire. The venture was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by players and audience alike.