Friday 27 March 2015 Anyone visiting The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) over the last two weeks could tell that something was afoot as soon as they entered the gates. A line of colourful gingerbread men, each individually decorated by a pupil or staff member, drew visitors 300m along the drive towards the school buildings and the creative buzz of Arts ’15, GSAL’s first ever festival of creativity. A celebration of music, drama, dance, cuisine, art and design, the festival has provided memorable opportunities for pupils to explore their creative talents, and work with some well-known names in the arts. The festival opened with a concert of music by Howard Goodall, conducted by the composer himself at Leeds Town Hall, the performers drawn from GSAL, Leeds College of Music and Bradford Festival Choral Society. There has been live music every day in school and in local venues, including Junior School’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in St Chad’s Church, Headingley, and a concert by the school’s music scholars at Leeds University. Arts’15 is about music and much more, encompassing the full range of creative activities in school and offering a busy and varied programme. Young actors enjoyed some unexpected magic when Harry Potter actor Matthew Lewis and his brother Anthony appeared as guest judges at the house drama competition, before running workshops for aspiring screen actors. With pupils at GSAL between the ages of three and 18, there really has been something for everyone. The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, says in the festival brochure: “Enjoy the Festival – and make sure you keep your programme and ticket stub. That way when one of GSAL’s young performers collects their first BAFTA or Brit Award, you can prove that you saw them before they were famous!” The curtain comes down on the festival on Saturday 28 March when GSAL’s musicians are joined by the Rothwell Temperance Band for the Big Band Bash. Visit our Facebook page for news and photos from the festival. General News
