On Friday 21 June we said thank you and farewell to Michael Hitchcock, the Musical Director for the West Kent Youth Orchestra and West Kent Youth String Orchestra, who decided to retire after 47 years’ service with Kent Music.

We held a joint summer concert involving the West Kent Youth Orchestra (WKYO), West Kent Youth String Orchestra (WKYSO) and tyms (Tonbridge Young Musicians) who played a fantastic programme to a packed audience! This was also Michael’s last performance since becoming Musical Director in 1987.

The 60+ young musicians rounded the concert off with a massed finale piece of all the performers playing together in Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No1 in D, op39 no.1.

Fittingly, the WKYO played some of the same repertoire in this concert as Michael’s first concert 33 years ago – this was Sibelius’ Finlandia and Pachelbel’s Canon in D.

We’d like to thank Michael once again and wish him all the very best for the future.