YOUTH Action Wiltshire, the charity which helps young people across the county, has celebrated its 70th anniversary with a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony

The spectacular concert at Marlborough College Chapel on Friday night saw the City of Bristol choir, the London Mozart Orchestra and international soloists perform Beethoven and other music, which wowed hundreds of guests.

The fundraising event was a birthday celebration highlighting the fantastic work Youth Action Wiltshire do to support Wiltshire’s young people, and included the presentation of a £1,000 donation to the charity from Waitrose.

People came from all over the county to hear the symphony brought to life by an original script from conductor Benedict Hoffnung.

“It is extraordinary and wonderful that Youth Action Wiltshire has turned 70 this year,” said Benedict.

“To mark this astonishing achievement, we performed Beethoven’s ninth and final Choral symphony, a fitting acknowledgment to a charity that for seven decades has provided reassurance, help and active support to young people in the region.

“Beethoven’s music spoke for itself, but we hope the guests learnt something of the man himself – his successes, his frustrations, his dark and desperate moods, but above all his overwhelming and passionate desire to communicate to all through his art.”

“By wonderful coincidence, the London Mozart Players orchestra also turned 70 this year, which means we combined and celebrated a total of 140 years of fantastic work."

Kicking off the programme was Beethoven's Overture The Consecration of the House, an intensified march piece with a kaleidoscope of instruments from brass, wind instruments, trumpet fanfares, bassoons, with a later introduction of violins. One section crescendos rapidly, and – following the recapitulation – a forceful coda brought the overture to a brilliant close.

Next on the agenda was Beethoven: Symphony number 9 in D Minor Beyond the Firmament, executed brilliantly by Benedict Hoffnung, read by Christopher Rose. This iconic Beethoven piece still remains as one of the most performed symphonies in the world.

After a short interval and another musical piece welcoming the second half, the night was brought to its final conclusion with Schiller’s Ode to Joy, translated from the original German.

There was huge praise for Clare Tunney, soprano, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, mezzo soprano, Emmanuel Heitz, tenor, Darwin Leonard Prakash, baritone, Christopher Rose, narrator, Benedict Hoffnung, conductor, the London Mozart Players and City of Bristol Choir.

The generous guests and sponsors were able to meet some of the young people YAW has helped, and its committee, who made the evening possible and toasted a welcome to another 70 years of fantastic achievements.

Youth Action Wiltshire is the national award winning Youth Arm of Community First.

Its work includes:

Young Carers Support, one of the first young carers support projects in the country. YAW enables young carers aged 5-18 to be safe in their caring roles and equips them for the future through 1:1 support, mentoring, advocacy, respite activities and breaks.

Splash, where activities are provided during school holidays for young people facing challenges in their lives. Splash aims to increase young people’s confidence and self-esteem, social and practical skills.

YAW supports young people who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) or at risk of becoming NEET, by providing skill development and confidence building activities, training courses and 1:1 support to enable them to progress in life and their careers can take shape.

National Citizenship Service, Ambassador and Young Leader Programmes provide young people with the confidence and skills to become effective, valuable volunteers benefiting their local communities.

YAW supports the development of new youth clubs and work with youth and young leaders to ensure Wiltshire’s voluntary youth clubs are safe, interesting places to be.

All funds raised through donations and sponsorship go towards supporting the vital services Youth Action Wiltshire provide across the county for the young people of Swindon and Wiltshire.

Forthcoming fundraisers include the Mary Howard Christmas Fair, November 13-16 at Cotswold Airport, where proceeds from the tombola will be split between Allegras Ambition and Youth Action Wiltshire and the annual Carols by Candlelight service at Malmesbury Abbey on December 14. Book your tickets through clare@youthactionwiltshire.org.

To support Youth Action Wiltshire, contact dwhiting@youthaction.org or telephone 01380 732829.