AFTER only hours in rehearsal it was more than all right on the night. The children and music teachers all deserved the cheers they received at the end of this Schools Music Association Millennium Concert on Saturday.

The event raised £1,000 for the Children's Hospital Appeal Trust. The schools taking part were: St Columba's RC, Clarendon CP, Queen Street CP, St Stephen's (Kearsley Moor), St Peter's (Smithills Dean); Blackshaw CP, St Paul's (Astley Bridge); Gaskell CP; SS Simon and Jude, Masefield CP, The Oaks, Heathfield CP, Oxford Grove, Longsight CP and St Teresa's RC.

Among the highlights -- and there were many -- was the Louisiana Rainstorm in which the children remarkably effectively produced the sounds of rainfall using only their hands. Simon Hunt conducted.

The Teachers' Choir under their conductor Francis Roe were in fine voice for Still I Love Him and Green Green.

Conductor Carolyn Baxendale brought out the best in the children in Breakfast Calypso as did Jane Hampson with A Little Boogie.

Bolton Music Service's Youth Recorder Consort, directed by Peter Penrick, was particularly effective with Fred and Ginger and the talented Gamelan section, under director Ian Bamford, was a rousing success.

Smithills Percussion Band kept the excitment level high and their "carnival" dancers wearing huge head-dresses delighted the audience. Chris Haymes directed with style.

The hard work which had gone into this successful evening was clear. But the sheer enjoyment of all taking part was obvious too.

This infected the audience who were happy to join in and sing along when asked.

Sue Wilding's 21st Century Song brought the concert to a moving and fitting end. Doreen Crowther

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