World symphony (From Times Series)

World symphony

1:49pm Monday 1st December 2003

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Barnet Symphony Orchestra

Christmas Concert

St John's Church

Friern Barnet Road

New Southgate

Sunday, 6pm

Her job has taken her around the globe, but Chris Childs has never needed to speak different languages to communicate with the natives.

Barnet Symphony Orchestra's (BSO) newly appointed music director has travelled to Russia, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic equipped with nothing more than her music.

Born in Sydney, Ms Childs was the first woman prize winner of the Australian Young Conductor of the Year competition before moving to London in 1998.

She will take up the baton in her new role at the BSO's Christmas Concert at 6pm on Sunday (Dec 7).

"It is a very exciting time for the Barnet Symphony Orchestra," said Chris. "It is recruiting new members and is looking to draw players from local schools to provide young musicians with the chance to be soloists with the orchestra.

"We're holding a recruitment drive to bring the orchestra up to at least 60 members, and have decided to provide coaching by professional players for the orchestra as part of our commitment to player development.

"It's very important to encourage young musicians to play classical music and there's nothing more exciting than playing full throttle in an orchestra concert."

BSO rehearse on Monday evenings during school term time, from 7.45pm until 10pm at Hendon School, Golders Rise, Hendon. Chris added: "We would like to see people from all backgrounds and ages join the orchestra, as music is a great way of bringing people together. I've been conducting in countries where people speak little or no English and I've been able to communicate with them through music."

For more information about joining the group or to buy tickets for Sunday's show, which will include music by Brahms, Strauss and Ketelbey, call 07957 136439.

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