THE Great Malvern branch of Waitrose has handed over a £1,500 grant to the Worcester-bases English Symphony Orchestra to support its forthcoming Halloween family concert.
The concert, on Saturday, October 31, at the University of Worcester Arena in Hylton Road, Worcester is being held to raise funds got the orchestra's concerts in Care Homes programme. This is aimed at bringing music to people in care homes or hospices who might otherwise have no opportunity to hear music played live.
The orchestra applied for the funding through the John Lewis Partnership Music Matters Scheme, which invites nominations to support a local musical activity.
This year the orchestra, in association with the University of Worcester,is putting on a special family Halloween concert, called Spooktacular, to raise funds for its Concerts in Care Homes programme in 2016.
The event is taking place from 3pm to 6pm and will feature a variety in music including themes from films such as Ghostbusters and Harry Potter, to Danse Macabre, Hansel and Gretel and A Night on Bare Mountain.
Prior to the concert there will be a music instrument petting zoo for children, where youngsters are invited to try out a variety of musical instruments under the guidance of members of the orchestra and tutors, and there will be Halloween fun and games all round.
Mary Stevens of the orchestra said: “Music can bring comfort and hope to those with depression and serious illness and it can also be a crucial source of engagement and stimulus for people living with dementia. Last year, through the generosity of local people, we raised an incredible £12,000 to support the concerts in 2015 and we are now aiming to do the same for 2016.”
Waitrose Great Malvern manager Scott Whittaker said: “ESO make an outstanding contribution to the musical life of the local communities in Worcestershire which we are delighted to have the opportunity to recognise and support."
Tickets for the Halloween concert are available from 0844 888 9991 or ticketline.co.uk/order/tickets/13309761.
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