Kent Music Summer School celebrated 70 summers of music making on Saturday 22nd July with an afternoon tea party, concert and presentation at Benenden School, who have hosted the summer school for seven decades. Guests included members from Kent Music’s Board of Trustees, Kent Music staff and tutors, KCC Councillors and former conductor with the Kent Youth Wind Orchestra and professional trombonist with The Beatles and Pink Floyd, Alan Hutt.

Guests were entertained with a performance of Alan Vincent’s Dreamworld by over 200 young musicians and singers who were residing on Kent Music Summer School courses on Saturday.

Peter Bolton, Chief Executive of Kent Music said: “After 70 years, the breadth of musical activity that we see now across three weeks each summer is astonishing. We have an exceptional team of staff on site, including many highly talented tutors, and the resulting twelve concerts showcase the dedication and enjoyment of everyone involved.”

Phill Hyde, Kent Music Summer School Manager said: “I’ve been attending Kent Music Summer School at Benenden for 34 years – as a student, then a supervisor and tutor, and as manager since 1994 – and it’s a real privilege to see so many young people coming and making music with us year on year.”

Sally Aviss, Kent Music Summer School Tutor (1990-2012) said “One of my abiding Benenden memories is of going into the main hall and watching the Kent County Youth Orchestra rehearse before they departed on tour to Berlin. It was an inspirational moment for me and I wanted to be a part of this wonderful orchestra.”

Places on the summer school are subsidised and continue to be supported by funds from Kent County Council, as well as bursaries being available for those needing financial assistance. For more details, visit www.kent-music.com/summer-school.