£10,000 gift will help Wolverhampton's young musicians to raise the roof at summer celebration

Wolverhampton Summer Sounds organised by the Wolverhampton Music Service will see hundreds of children perform at a series of concerts next week. 

They will be taking centre stage at Wulfrun Hall, University of Wolverhampton at The Halls in Mitre Fold from Tuesday (15) to Friday (18).

Participants will include a 400-strong  youth choir,  a concert string orchestra, keyboard players, rock 'n' pop groups, a guitar group, the concert wind band, strings groups, a jazz band and orchestras along with groups Fusion Fives, Bhangra Fusion Percussion.

 The Summer Sounds concert series has been funded to the tune of £10,000 by the Friends of Wolverhampton Music Service, who provide tuition and musical opportunities for school pupils. 

Wolverhampton Music Service head Ciaran O’ Donnell said: “We provide our concerts entirely free of charge because we think it is really important that parents and supporters get to hear achievements of their young musicians.” 

“It’s crucial for performers that they play to a big audience and in the best possible venues, as that provides them with the most authentic experience. We are overwhelmed by this generous donation from the Friends which will enable us to make it a summer to remember for our young musicians.” 

The group will also holding a fundraising raffle at each concert with the top prize being a £220 CCTV security system donated by lockmakers Assa Abloy which has sites in Wolverhampton and Willenhall.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and education, said: “This concert series will be a powerful showcase of dedication, creativity and spirit of Wolverhampton’s young musicians. Their talent deserves to be heard and celebrated on the big stage and we hope as many families as possible can join us for these very special performances.”