Royal Fireworks

To celebrate the launch of our learning programme, Handel Hendrix House organised a special project for school students. Inspired by a rehearsal of Music for the Royal Fireworks that took place at Handel’s house in April 1749, we brought together 100 students from schools in London, Surrey, and Kent to rehearse and perform a movement from the Fireworks music. Spread across four rooms and two floors of the house, the pupils were supported by students from the Royal Academy of Music’s ‘Open Academy’ programme, who provided coaching and direction alongside the project’s director, Ollie Mansfield.

The day culminated in a celebratory concert for the pupils and their families at nearby St George’s Hanover Square, a renowned concert venue. During the event, the schools performed for each other and as a large ensemble. RAM students demonstrated their instruments, offered advice on practice techniques, and shared insights into studying music at conservatoire or university level.

The performance at Handel Hendrix House was recorded and will be used to create a film, which will be shared with the participating schools and used to further promote the learning programme.

A highlight of the day was a surprise visit from singer Katherine Jenkins OBE, who spent time speaking with the students about their music-making and her career.

Through this launch event, the students had the opportunity to learn and perform music (from memory) in an inspiring setting, develop new warm-ups and techniques, play alongside their peers, and gain valuable insights into progressing their musical studies beyond school. They also learned about filming and recording practices and had the unique chance to meet an accomplished, classically trained professional musician.