Orchestra in a Field Festival was just that except this was no ordinary field it was next to Glastonbury Abbey in Glastonbury.

The festival being part of the prestigious London 2012 Festival. With an eclectic programme and truly innovative and original line up of performers, talks, workshops there was something for everyone including the children. The aim was to try and mix the best qualities of the concert hall, with the best qualities of a pop festival .

Apart from a very short shower late afternoon the sun shone for most of the day and Michael Eavis could be seen mingling with the crowds.

The day started off with the Community Choir Competition Finals on the main stage where 5 adult choirs and 2 Scholl choirs took place. The children stayed for the day and it seemed they had plenty of fun at the dedicated kid’s area with bundles of entertainment to keep them amused. There was clown workshops, tightrope walking, bikes, acoustic sessions, puppet opera, clog dancing, beat boxing, The Hip Hop Shakespeare Company and the list just goes on....

During the afternoon we leisurely listened to the rehearsals from a world class symphony orchestra and opera singers. Piecing its performance together in casual mode in preparation for their grand performance that evening. It gave us a refreshing and new perspective on Carmen.

Next we witnessed the world premiere performance of The British ParaOrchestra. An orchestra made up of world class musicians with disabilities founded earlier this year by Charles Hazelwood the curator of the event. The performance was filmed as part of a channel 4 documentary to be aired in August this year.

He introduced them with a passionate speech, giving the reasons why he created an orchestra of virtuoso performers with various disabilities and his desire for people to focus on their undoubted ability. Having supported the cause from the beginning it was an honour to be there and to witness an idea being turned into reality.

Their debut performance was a unique performance of Bolero, the piece started more like an electronica track, and slowly introduced more traditional instruments, building multiple layers culminating in an exotically-coloured finale.

Next was classic English folk song Greensleeves which was beautifully transformed. With Glastonbury Abbey and King Arthur and Guinevere’s grave behind us it felt like being transported back in time to banquets and days of old a fitting choice.

While their set was short, it was truly emotional and they were well received. To find out more about the British Paraorchestra click HERE.

The day was about music and entertainment and in between we were treated to some light hearted entertainment. Russell Grant and friends appeared on stage decked out in a purple jacket with luminous pink feather boa getting the crowd on their feet for a bit of Zumba.

After a lengthy wait it was time for another first as Charles Hazelwood introduced Labrinth to perform “Let The Sun shine” with a full orchestra, this was greeted by an ear piercing scream as the children flocked to the front of the stage. Next Professor Green joined Labrinth to perform a duet of  “Oh My God” which had everyone screaming for more.

The culmination of the day was Carmen presented by an international cast and chorus drawn from Wells Cathedral School and two local primary schools Charlton Mackrell and Keinton Mandeville School. The sight and sound was breathtaking what more can I say, a day the children and their parents will fondly remember forever.

Alas we sadly had to miss Adrian Utley’s Guitar Orchestra and there was so much more to entertain that day. Every tent you walked past had a choir or violin notes floating out, it really was a full programme.

One comment we will make is why do you keep this Festival to yourself Charles in your home town. Share it with everyone there are loads of other fields out there. 

Photos by Laura Kavanagh courtesy of Glastonbury People