Bolton: Young musicians wow audiences after summer music course

Youngsters from the Summer Sounds Music Course wowed audiences with their musical ability for the third year in a row.

Friday (August 30) was their final concert after they performed at Bakewell’s Care Home and entertained the public shopping at the Market Place.

Ilona Hepburn, Summer Sounds Music Course’s Artistic Director, said: “We had tiny tots dancing to our music and people of all ages stopping to clap and enjoy it.

“It’s been a lovely experience sharing that with the people going about their day in Bolton.”

Children seven to 18 from across Bolton had been brought together in Summer Sounds Music Course.

The three-day course was created as an opportunity to fill the gap in music education during the summer holidays.

Ilona said: “I’m a strings teacher and a professional cellist.

Summer Sounds Music Course musicians (Left to right: Tara O’Riordan, Sofia Noble, Georgina Hopkinson, and behind, Leticia Hopkinson) (Image: Ilona Hepburn)

“I was aware that there really wasn’t that much music education available for my pupils during the summer holidays.

“I decided to start a strings course for Bolton Young Musicians.

“We’ve been teaching them to play as a group, chamber music, music theory and just growing their confidence.”

By the end of the course, advanced students can perform Bach, Vivaldi and Pachelbel. Intermediate students play Dvorak and Carmen.

Ilona said: “It’s only three days, but by the end they play brilliantly.

“Their attitude has been amazing.

"The way they’ve made friends and encouraged each other and the skills they’ve developed playing their instruments.”

They learn much more than just how to play music.

Ilona said: “One of our big pushes is to grow their confidence and encourage them to share what they can do in the wider community, which can make a really big difference in the mental well-being of people who come to listen as well.”

The course is open to all Bolton children.

Ilona said: “Most of the kids are from local primary schools and that’s really important.

 “We’re fighting against music becoming elitist.

“We go in ripples of how much the government support the arts. Currently we’re in a decline again. And there’s less available to the children.

“I’m passionate about giving as many young people a chance on an instrument as possible.”

Group after Intermediate concert at Bolton Parish Church (Image: Ilona Hepburn)

“I started at my local primary school and if they hadn’t offered me the chance maybe I wouldn’t be a cellist now.” 

Ilona has seen how music can affect confidence as an artistic director and a strings teacher.

She said: “I’ve taught hundreds of children in the Bolton area and it’s an amazing thing. 

“A child might not be the most academic, but then they begin learning an instrument and all of the sudden they naturally take to it and find their voice.

“It’s not just about making a musician. It’s about making a person who’s confident and feels proud of what they can do.”

Dana Rybiantseva and Lucie Lui play for pensioners at Bakewells Care Home (Image: Ilona Hepburn)

The course is also about giving back.

She said: “Our last concert was open to the public. There was no charge, but we just asked people to donate to Bolton Hospice.

Summer Sounds Music Course also wants to give opportunities for young musicians entering the profession.

Ilona said: “We have been able to pay two student interns to be assistant tutors on the course this year with the support of Salford Van Hire, which has been wonderful.

“We had Matthew, a final year viola student at Royal Northern College of Music and Lucy Hepburn, cello student at Royal College of Music in London. 

“We hope to continue to expand Summer Sounds music course in future years, to reach many more young musicians in the Bolton area.

“Sponsorship of the course will be a crucial part of our development.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring Summer Sounds Music Course can contact them at summersounds.musiccourse@gmail.com