Roman River Festival, North Essex’s annual celebration of chamber and choral music, classical and jazz, offers a wide range of opportunities for young people with a passion for playing and singing. 

The festival, which takes place across Colchester and Essex in late September and early October, offers a unique chance for young musicians to play side-by-side with some top level professional musicians, to sing with the Festival Young Players and to watch a rehearsal of internationally renowned performers.

“We’ve created a unique chance for horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola, cello and bass players to play side-by-side with some top level professional festival musicians at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester. For free!” said Festival Artistic Director Orlando Jopling. “Rehearsals will be on Saturday 14th and 21st, and on Sunday 22nd September.”

Young people can apply to join the Festival Choir, which will sing Beethoven’s Mass in C with a top class professional orchestra, conducted by Orlando Jopling, on Saturday 5th October at St Mary’s Church Stoke by Nayland.

Rehearsals will be in Great Horkesley on Sunday 15th, Saturday 21st and on Monday 23rd & 30th September. Anyone interested can contact Ian Cook on [email protected] for more information.

To discover more behind the scenes, young people can watch Mark Padmore and the Britten Sinfonia rehearse, free of charge, on Sunday 29th September from 11am – 2pm. They can also catch Anthony Marwood and the Festival Orchestra and Choir on Saturday 5 October.

“We’re also offering festival tickets for some our concerts to anyone 25 and under for just £2.50” added Marketing Manager Alex Davis. “And if you have a chamber group and would like one of the festival musicians to give you a lesson, please contact us on [email protected]”.

For more information on how young people can get involved and more on our education programme and the primary schools we are working with, please visit: www.romanrivermusic.org.uk; call 01206 729 356; or email [email protected]

Dates

Rehearse and perform alongside professional musicians
Places available for horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola, cello and bass. Free of charge. 

Rehearsals Saturday 14th September 10am – 5pm (bring packed lunch), Saturday 21tst September 10am - 2pm, Sunday 22nd September 11am – 2pm, Concert  Sunday 22nd September 3pm All at the Mercury Theatre 

Sing Beethoven’s Mass in C

An opportunity to be a part of the Roman River Festival Choir, who will perform with a top class professional orchestra on Saturday 5th October, with Anthony Marwood playing Mozart violin concerto in the first half. 

Rehearsals Sunday 15th September 2.30-5pm in Great Horkesley Saturday 21st September 10am-12.30pm, Monday 23rd September 7.30-10pm, Monday 30th September 7.30-10pm 

Concert  Saturday 5th October, 2.30pm-5pm choir and orchestra St Mary’s Church, Stoke by Nayland CO6 4QH 

Watch a rehearsal of internationally renowned performers

Sunday 29th Sept               11am-2pm   Mark Padmore / Britten Sinfonia

Saturday 5th October        1-5pm            Anthony Marwood / Festival Orchestra & Choir 

Parents/guardians can also attend for free. Please enquire at [email protected] if you would like to attend rehearsals for any other festival events. Book