THE Alton Maltings came alive earlier this month as eight primary schools, 160 pupils and the Amery Hill School Percussion Ensemble performed together in Alton’s Big Bash – a hugely successful, collaborative project.

Led by Amery Hill School, the primary schools were invited to take part in the extravaganza, with all schools learning and performing individual pieces on African drums, Tubz or body percussion, with a grand finale group Samba arrangement.

The preparation for the event included visits to the schools and workshops at Amery Hill.

Sam Worwood, event director and head of music at Amery Hill School, said: “The experience has been thoroughly rewarding, not just for the primary pupils but also for our students who have had the chance to mentor their buddies and participate in the rehearsals and final production.

“It has been a pleasure collaborating with our local schools and watching the pupils develop their skills, have fun and produce high-quality performances.”

Schools involved were Andrews’ Endowed Primary, Binsted Primary, The Butts Primary, Four Marks Primary, St Lawrence Primary, St Mary’s Bentworth Primary, Medstead Primary, and Wootey Junior.

Music continues to feature highly within the Amery Hill School community and with outstanding GCSE examination results year on year – 96 per cent A*-C grade pass rate with 50 per cent of students achieving A*/A grades in 2016 – the school is recognised across the county for its musical excellence.

The concert was enjoyed by parents of pupils from all the schools involved, with Jill Larner and Colin New, head and deputy head of Hampshire Music Service, joining the celebration.

Ms Larner said “We really enjoyed seeing and hearing so many pupils making great music on a wide range of different drums and percussion instruments. They had obviously all worked hard to learn their parts and concentrated so well, in order to fit it all together.

“Well done to everyone involved.”