A group of 12 pupils from the top three years, all of whom are string players, had the opportunity to attend a wonderfully stimulating concert in Symphony Hall, Birmingham on the evening of Tuesday 2nd October. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (who were on spectacular form) played music by Italian and Czech composers. The first half featured ‘The Fountains of Rome’ by Ottorino Respighi and the ‘Violin Concerto’ by Antonin Dvorak. It was superb to be able to visualise the four great Italian fountains in this colourful work. Laurence Jackson, the new Leader of the CBSO, played the concerto and it was very obvious that the orchestra and audience were most impressed by his fine performance of this very technically demanding work. The second half started with ‘Ma Vlast’ by Bedrich Smetana and the concert finished with a stunning performance of ‘The Pines of Rome’ by Ottorino Respighi. This wonderful set of pieces was inspired by four places where pine trees were prominent in the landscape; Villa Borghese, the Catacombs, the Janiculum and the Appain Way. This set of pieces left us all feeling inspired and invigorated, especially after hearing a recording of a nightingale superimposed whilst the strings were playing and one of the most exciting crescendos in orchestral writing (it leaves you pinned to your seat and is much louder than most pop groups can play!).