Northamptonshire's young performers go 'virtual' to make Saturdays a get-together day again

Music and Performing Arts Trust launches weekly online sessions open to all
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Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust is "going virtual" to allow its talented youngsters to get together and perform again.

The Northampton-based team is launching the NMPAT Virtual Centre after nearly six months having to play and perform solo — and throwing open doors to anyone to join in.

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Laura Bendy from the trust said: "Our teachers have been able to visit schools and start individual lessons but current Government guidance means we have not been able to all meet face-to-face in NMPAT’s Saturday Music and Arts Centre settings.

The Music and Performing Arts Trust are relaunching their Saturday music sessions virtually. Photo: MMPATThe Music and Performing Arts Trust are relaunching their Saturday music sessions virtually. Photo: MMPAT
The Music and Performing Arts Trust are relaunching their Saturday music sessions virtually. Photo: MMPAT

"This Virtual Centre will now allow students to take part in ensembles and activities in a virtual format, online, during these unprecendented times.

"NMPAT’s Virtual Centre is open access — no prior musical experience is needed. We will host a welcome and induction session via Zoom this Saturday (September 12) with the full NMPATVC timetable commencing on September 19."

More information is available at the NMPAT website HERE.

The NMPAT Community Choir will also form part of the Virtual Centre and is open to adults with no experience required.

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Trust members kept things going during the summer with a series of online events, festivals and concerts, including the annual Music for Youth Regional Festival involving more than 800 performers which was due to staged at Northampton School of Boys back in March.

NMPAT county group rehearsals will be restarting in the coming weeks and lessons are beginning to take place in over 200 schools across the county, However, the popular Saturday Music and Arts Centres are not yet able to return.

The Virtual Centre aims to fill that gap by recreating the experience of making music and drama with others, and trial feedback has been positive.

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