30 June 2012

Legal Eagles and Music Maestros in Caribbean Capers!

 While June hasn’t been as summery as many would have liked, the Caribbean came to Dundonald’s Tor Bank School with the help of the Ulster Orchestra and leading solicitors Pinsent Masons in Caribbean Capers.

One hundred and thirty students aged between 4 and 19 with a range of educational, developmental and physical needs got a chance to explore music in a performance of sunny Caribbean and Latin American favourites for teachers and friends in the school hall. They were ably led by nine musicians from the Ulster Orchestra and staff from solicitors Pinsent Masons, formerly L’Estrange and Brett, who have a longstanding relationship with the Orchestra and the school.

Double Bass player Ricky Matson, who led the Orchestra team on this special project said, “The Ulster Orchestra is much more than its Friday and Saturday night concerts. Our cross–curricular and creative projects bring an array of opportunities for young people to explore music in a fun, inclusive and interactive way and everyone who took part in Caribbean Capers had a ball.”

Staff from international law firm Pinsent Masons took time off to participate in preparatory workshops and the concert itself, as the Head of the Belfast Office, Paul McBride explained, “Once again we were delighted to work with the Orchestra and really enjoyed joining with the children at Tor Bank. Caribbean Capers has given our staff the opportunity to try something different and we’ve had great fun performing with the children and I hope the children and staff enjoyed it as much as we did.”

Vice Principal of Tor Bank, Claire Breen, said, “Both staff and pupils had a fantastic day, and it was great that all pupils could participate at their own individual levels helping the younger ones to become more creative. Working in group situations also helped to increase their confidence and gave individuals the opportunity to develop their skills and abilities. It also gave individuals the chance to ‘shine’.”