Symphonic StoryQuest – the Countdown Begins!

Meet the Orchestra

Summer seems to have arrived all at once, and with the glorious weather comes a season of exciting musical events at Berkshire Music Trust. 

Alongside our much-anticipated Junior and Senior Music Festivals, we are delighted to introduce a special addition to our events calendar: a large-scale orchestral concert designed especially for Key Stage 2 pupils. 

Symphonic StoryQuest brings together BMT staff and students and local amateur musicians to form the Berkshire Music Trust Orchestra. They will perform at The Hexagon on Wednesday 1 July for an audience of Key Stage 2 children from across the county. 

Why Orchestral Music? 

We believe there is something truly special about orchestral music. Its depth, variety and collective power come from bringing together different families of instruments — strings, woodwind, brass and percussion — each with its own unique colour. Together, they create a rich and layered sound that no single instrument can achieve alone. 

This allows composers to tell vivid musical stories, from delicate, shimmering textures to powerful, dramatic climaxes. 

What makes orchestras even more unique is the sense of teamwork and communication. Every musician plays an important role, listening and responding to each other under the guidance of a conductor. The result is a shared musical experience that is both disciplined and expressive. 

For children in particular, live orchestral music can spark imagination, emotion and curiosity, especially when it connects to stories, films and cultures from around the world. 

A Concert Full of Stories 

To link with the National Year of Reading 2026, we have created a special programme of music that explores storytelling in many forms — from books, film, TV, opera, theatre and even video games. 

Pupils will hear familiar melodies such as: 

Harry Potter 

Doctor Who 

Defying Gravity (from Wicked) 

These will sit alongside less familiar works, offering a rich and varied listening experience. 

Supporting Resources for Schools 

If your school has secured tickets (the concert sold out very quickly!), we have created a range of supporting resources to enhance your visit: 

A Listening Guide with notes on each piece 

Cross-curricular and literary links 

A “Meet the Orchestra” guide for classroom use 

A short guide to concert etiquette 

Even if you were unable to secure tickets, you are very welcome to use these resources to enrich your curriculum — we may repeat this concert in the future, so do keep an eye out! 

You can access the resources here.

More Live Orchestral Opportunities in Berkshire 

If you would like to share further live music experiences with families, here are some upcoming events: 

Noisy Kids – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – The Hexagon (Reading), 13 June 

Summer 2026 | Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra – Family concert at Newbold College (Bracknell), 21 June 

Newbury Symphony Orchestra – Family concert (Newbury), 27 June 

Developing Musical Opportunities in Your School 

Introducing orchestral instruments at primary level is about much more than learning notes. It helps children develop: 

Listening skills 

Teamwork 

Discipline 

Confidence 

Most importantly, it gives them the experience of being part of something bigger than themselves. 

If you feel this could benefit your pupils, please speak to your School Development Manager: 

West Berkshire: Janey Bee – janeybee@berksmusictrust.org.uk  

Reading, Windsor & Maidenhead: Laura Bridger – laurabridger@berksmusictrust.org.uk  

Wokingham & Bracknell: Mel Hopkin – melaniehopkin@berksmusictrust.org.uk