Features / Trees
Orchestra serenades newly planted woodland grove
Bristol Youth Orchestra have chosen the natural world as the theme for their next concert, and they have put their passion into action by turning out for a tree planting day on the outskirts of Bristol.
Orchestra members got their hands in the soil to plant native trees including hazel, bird cherry, rowan and wild pear that will form part of the Great Avon Wood near Pensford, before getting their instruments out to serenade the whips in their new homes.
The Avon & Bristol branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) is fundraising to support the creation of the new woodland grove.
The group performed on the site of the new copse after planting 100 trees to mark the centenary of the CPRE – photo: Sophie Jones
The group share an enthusiasm for nature, with many taking part in activities like the Duke of Edinburgh award and the Ten Tors challenge alongside their orchestral activities.
“Spending time outdoors has always been really important to me,” said french horn player Amy.
“I’ve helped with woodland management projects and I volunteer at a wildlife hospital, which has made me want to go on to study to become a vet. I love the idea of working in animal rehabilitation and helping protect wildlife in the future.”
“Being outside makes me feel happy and calm, and it’s made me care a lot about protecting the environment so other people can enjoy it too,” oboist Rose said.
And Rosie, double bassist, added: “I spend a lot of my free time helping out on an allotment, which has taught me so much about sustainability and the importance of looking after our environment. Being outdoors is really important to me.”
The planting is part of the Hedgerow Heroes campaign which has a target of laying or planting 10km of hedgerow by the Spring of 2027 – photo: CPRE Avon & Bristol
Bristol Youth Orchestra is the city’s flagship senior youth instrumental ensemble, featuring over 90 of the most talented young musicians aged between 12 and 18.
The ensemble is preparing for the concert at the Bristol Beacon which marks the centenary of the CPRE, with the symbolic planting of 100 trees also contributing to the charity’s Hedgerow Heroes campaign.
The Concert for the Countryside features Vaughan Williams, Coleridge-Taylor and Elgar, and the world premiers of a specially commissioned new composition by Debbie Wiseman OBE, Classic FM’s composer in residence.
It will be accompanied by archive film tracing a century of rural life, encapsulating the beauty of the landscape from moors to wetlands to ancient woodlands, alongside the reality of rural livelihoods and current environmental challenges.
Bristol Youth Orchestra comprises 90 instrumentalist age between 12 and 18 – photo: Giulia Spadafora
A Concert for the Countryside takes place at Bristol Beacon on March 29. Find all information at bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/cpre-and-byo
Main image: Sophie Jones
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