CONCERT PROGRAMMES

These concerts will feature music from a variety of genres and are a culmination of the work SFE has been doing in schools and at ensemble centres throughout 2025.

There is something truly joyous about young people coming together to perform music and song – and nowhere is this more evident than at our annual Festive Concerts. We are in for a real treat as the next generation of talented musicians and singers from Birmingham schools take to the stage.

This year’s concerts are particularly special as we welcome Sarah Chatt, our new Head of Ensembles. Sarah brings great experience and energy to the role, and we are thrilled to have her leading our ensembles programme as we continue to nurture Birmingham’s young musical talent.

For many children performing tonight, this is their first concert with us. They follow in the footsteps of thousands of Birmingham schoolchildren who have performed locally and nationally. Last month, for example, our Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra (BSSO) represented Birmingham at the Music for Youth Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall, joining young performers from across the country. The BSSO were chosen to be the anchor orchestra for the night to perform the world premiere of Aileen Sweeney’s Causeway.

For me, this year is particularly meaningful as it marks my first year of concerts with Services For Education. Over the past twelve months, I have been inspired by the dedication of our young people, the passion of our music tutors, and the support of Birmingham’s schools and partners – including Arts Council England and, fittingly, the Ruddock Performing Arts Centre.

Our Festive Concerts celebrate not only the season but also the remarkable achievements of everyone involved. I hope performers, audiences, and organisers alike have a truly memorable evening.

Image of Richard Mabbott

Season’s greetings,

Richard Mabbott

Head of Music Service

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

12th December 2026
Ruddock Performing Arts Centre

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

INTERVAL

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

List of ensembles and schools playing tonight

Junior String Orchestra

Training Guitar Ensemble

Recorder Ensemble

Steel Band

Wind Orchestra

This information is for concert attendees who do not work for Services For Education.

  • Services For Education will not take and use identifiable images of children and young people (under 18 years old) without permission from a parent/carer to do so.
  • Parents/carers are asked annually to accept our SFE filming and photography policy. Changes can be made to the permissions at any time in the year using the ensembles portal.
  • At events we ask parents/carers to be mindful of other children and ensure photos are only for personal use. Should you wish to share a photograph on social media, it must be a long-range photograph that doesn't clearly identify any other children/ young people.
  • Please check your privacy settings on your social media account to understand who else will be able to view any images they share.
  • Where photographs are taken at an event attended by large crowds (a concert or awards event for example), this is regarded as a public area, so it is not necessary to get permission of everyone in a crowd shot. However, we will always gain permission from parents/carers for any children who appear and are identifiable in these images.
  • If you have any concerns about images being shared, please contact us at marketing@servicesforeducation.co.uk or if you have any questions relating to data protection please contact the company's Data Protection Officer, tel: (0)121 366 9950, email dpo@servicesforeducation.co.uk

13th December 2026
Ruddock Performing Arts Centre

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

INTERVAL

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

List of ensembles and schools playing tonight

Junior String Orchestra

Training Guitar Ensemble

Recorder Ensemble

Steel Band

Wind Orchestra

This information is for concert attendees who do not work for Services For Education.

  • Services For Education will not take and use identifiable images of children and young people (under 18 years old) without permission from a parent/carer to do so.
  • Parents/carers are asked annually to accept our SFE filming and photography policy. Changes can be made to the permissions at any time in the year using the ensembles portal.
  • At events we ask parents/carers to be mindful of other children and ensure photos are only for personal use. Should you wish to share a photograph on social media, it must be a long-range photograph that doesn't clearly identify any other children/ young people.
  • Please check your privacy settings on your social media account to understand who else will be able to view any images they share.
  • Where photographs are taken at an event attended by large crowds (a concert or awards event for example), this is regarded as a public area, so it is not necessary to get permission of everyone in a crowd shot. However, we will always gain permission from parents/carers for any children who appear and are identifiable in these images.
  • If you have any concerns about images being shared, please contact us at marketing@servicesforeducation.co.uk or if you have any questions relating to data protection please contact the company's Data Protection Officer, tel: (0)121 366 9950, email dpo@servicesforeducation.co.uk

Compere – Richard Mabbott

Birmingham Schools’ Raga and Tala Ensemble

Leaders: Gurdeep Singh-Dharni and Harjinder Singh Matharu

Raga Kirvani Vilambit Gat in Teentala

Gurdeep Singh Dharni & Harjinder Singh Matharu
Raga Kirvani Drut Gat in Teentala

Gurdeep Singh Dharni & Harjinder Singh Matharu

Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Ensemble

Conductor: Nick Chamberlain

Swing 42

Django Reinhardt arr. Nick Chamberlain
Mbira

William Kanengiser
Techno

Jürg Kindle

 

Birmingham Schools’ String Sinfonia

Conductor: William Cheung

Abdelazer Suite Z.570

I. Ouverture
II. Rondeau
III. Air
IV. Air
V. Minuet
VI. Air
VII. Jig
VIII. Hornpipe
IX. Air

 

Henry Purcell

 

INTERVAL

 

 

Birmingham Schools’ Recorder Sinfonia

Conductor: Michelle Holloway

  

Birmingham Schools’ Wind Orchestra

Conductor: Tom Stoneman

Felicitous

Frederich Sheldurup
West Side Story

Leonard Bernstein arr. Naohiro Iwai
Sleigh Ride

Leroy Anderson
A Christmas Festival

Leroy Anderson

Raga and Tala

Concert Band

Double Reed

Guitar Ensemble

Jazz Band

This information is for concert attendees who do not work for Services For Education.

  • Services For Education will not take and use identifiable images of children and young people (under 18 years old) without permission from a parent/carer to do so.
  • Parents/carers are asked annually to accept our SFE filming and photography policy. Changes can be made to the permissions at any time in the year using the ensembles portal.
  • At events we ask parents/carers to be mindful of other children and ensure photos are only for personal use. Should you wish to share a photograph on social media, it must be a long-range photograph that doesn't clearly identify any other children/ young people.
  • Please check your privacy settings on your social media account to understand who else will be able to view any images they share.
  • Where photographs are taken at an event attended by large crowds (a concert or awards event for example), this is regarded as a public area, so it is not necessary to get permission of everyone in a crowd shot. However, we will always gain permission from parents/carers for any children who appear and are identifiable in these images.
  • If you have any concerns about images being shared, please contact us at marketing@servicesforeducation.co.uk or if you have any questions relating to data protection please contact the company's Data Protection Officer, tel: (0)121 366 9950, email dpo@servicesforeducation.co.uk

There is something truly joyous about young people coming together to perform music and song – and nowhere is this more evident than at our annual Festive Concerts. We are in for a real treat as the next generation of talented musicians and singers from Birmingham schools take to the stage.

This year’s concerts are particularly special as we welcome Sarah Chatt, our new Head of Ensembles. Sarah brings great experience and energy to the role, and we are thrilled to have her leading our ensembles programme as we continue to nurture Birmingham’s young musical talent.

For many children performing tonight, this is their first concert with us. They follow in the footsteps of thousands of Birmingham schoolchildren who have performed locally and nationally. Last month, for example, our Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra (BSSO) represented Birmingham at the Music for Youth Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall, joining young performers from across the country. The BSSO were chosen to be the anchor orchestra for the night to perform the world premiere of Aileen Sweeney’s Causeway.

For me, this year is particularly meaningful as it marks my first year of concerts with Services For Education. Over the past twelve months, I have been inspired by the dedication of our young people, the passion of our music tutors, and the support of Birmingham’s schools and partners – including Arts Council England and, fittingly, the Ruddock Performing Arts Centre.

Our Festive Concerts celebrate not only the season but also the remarkable achievements of everyone involved. I hope performers, audiences, and organisers alike have a truly memorable evening.

Image of Richard Mabbott

Season’s greetings,

Richard Mabbott

Head of Music Service

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

12th December 2026
Ruddock Performing Arts Centre

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

INTERVAL

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble

Compere: Paul Douglas
Conductor: Lesley Morson

Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder arr. Robert Ramskill

Dance of the Mirlitons

Tchaikovsky arr. David Bussick

Cantique de Noel

Adolphe Adam arr. David Bussick

‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev arr. David Bussick

List of ensembles and schools playing tonight

Junior String Orchestra

Training Guitar Ensemble

Recorder Ensemble

Steel Band

Wind Orchestra

This information is for concert attendees who do not work for Services For Education.

  • Services For Education will not take and use identifiable images of children and young people (under 18 years old) without permission from a parent/carer to do so.
  • Parents/carers are asked annually to accept our SFE filming and photography policy. Changes can be made to the permissions at any time in the year using the ensembles portal.
  • At events we ask parents/carers to be mindful of other children and ensure photos are only for personal use. Should you wish to share a photograph on social media, it must be a long-range photograph that doesn't clearly identify any other children/ young people.
  • Please check your privacy settings on your social media account to understand who else will be able to view any images they share.
  • Where photographs are taken at an event attended by large crowds (a concert or awards event for example), this is regarded as a public area, so it is not necessary to get permission of everyone in a crowd shot. However, we will always gain permission from parents/carers for any children who appear and are identifiable in these images.
  • If you have any concerns about images being shared, please contact us at marketing@servicesforeducation.co.uk or if you have any questions relating to data protection please contact the company's Data Protection Officer, tel: (0)121 366 9950, email dpo@servicesforeducation.co.uk

Compere – Richard Mabbott

Birmingham Schools’ Raga and Tala Ensemble

Leaders: Gurdeep Singh-Dharni and Harjinder Singh Matharu

Raga Kirvani Vilambit Gat in Teentala

Gurdeep Singh Dharni & Harjinder Singh Matharu
Raga Kirvani Drut Gat in Teentala

Gurdeep Singh Dharni & Harjinder Singh Matharu

Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Ensemble

Conductor: Nick Chamberlain

Swing 42

Django Reinhardt arr. Nick Chamberlain
Mbira

William Kanengiser
Techno

Jürg Kindle

 

Birmingham Schools’ String Sinfonia

Conductor: William Cheung

Abdelazer Suite Z.570

I. Ouverture
II. Rondeau
III. Air
IV. Air
V. Minuet
VI. Air
VII. Jig
VIII. Hornpipe
IX. Air

 

Henry Purcell

 

INTERVAL

 

 

Birmingham Schools’ Recorder Sinfonia

Conductor: Michelle Holloway

  

Birmingham Schools’ Wind Orchestra

Conductor: Tom Stoneman

Felicitous

Frederich Sheldurup
West Side Story

Leonard Bernstein arr. Naohiro Iwai
Sleigh Ride

Leroy Anderson
A Christmas Festival

Leroy Anderson

Raga and Tala

Concert Band

Double Reed

Guitar Ensemble

Jazz Band

This information is for concert attendees who do not work for Services For Education.

  • Services For Education will not take and use identifiable images of children and young people (under 18 years old) without permission from a parent/carer to do so.
  • Parents/carers are asked annually to accept our SFE filming and photography policy. Changes can be made to the permissions at any time in the year using the ensembles portal.
  • At events we ask parents/carers to be mindful of other children and ensure photos are only for personal use. Should you wish to share a photograph on social media, it must be a long-range photograph that doesn't clearly identify any other children/ young people.
  • Please check your privacy settings on your social media account to understand who else will be able to view any images they share.
  • Where photographs are taken at an event attended by large crowds (a concert or awards event for example), this is regarded as a public area, so it is not necessary to get permission of everyone in a crowd shot. However, we will always gain permission from parents/carers for any children who appear and are identifiable in these images.
  • If you have any concerns about images being shared, please contact us at marketing@servicesforeducation.co.uk or if you have any questions relating to data protection please contact the company's Data Protection Officer, tel: (0)121 366 9950, email dpo@servicesforeducation.co.uk
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Page Last Modified:  30/09/2026 15:15