Underscore Orchestra at the Safari Park
Underground quirky gig on the wild side for ground-breaking orchestra
Underscore community orchestra went wild with their latest concert at an extraordinary venue. Musicians ventured underground to perform in The Cellarz vaults below West Midland Safari Park, home to many exotic animals in Bewdley.
Set up for musicians from a variety of ethnic backgrounds who feel traditional orchestras aren’t for them, Underscore performs an eclectic mix of global music. Their performances during the weekend of June 15 and 16 were no different and made all the more atmospheric in the unusual surroundings.
Musicians played a special arrangement of the Spider-Verse score, along with hits from African American soul group Earth Wind and Fire and popular music representing cultures from around the world. It was a fittingly memorable venue for conductor Bradley Wilson’s final performance with Underscore, which he co-created.
The Cellarz below Spring Grove House at the Safari Park is a cool, brick hidden space that gave the orchestra unexpected challenges. As the space was smaller than a concert hall it meant musicians were seated in places they wouldn’t normally be in the orchestra.
Jamie Parker was in the audience and said the venue and changes it brought in seating arrangements was part of the thrill of seeing Underscore perform. “Different sections of the orchestra could be heard in isolation if you simply changed seats in-between pieces,” said The People’s Orchestra member Jamie.
“The venue was somewhere we would definitely like to hold another concert. I enjoy how Underscore introduces new music that tells a story, whether that is of other ethnic cultures or of someone’s personal journey.
“It also gives off a community feel, similar to all our other ensembles within The People’s Orchestra.”
You can read a full review of the Underscore concert by Jamie below (add review after this article or link to it here).
Funded by The Arts Council, Underscore is run by West Bromwich-based charity The People’s Orchestra and its sister organisation The Change Consortium CIC. It is helping to get a more diverse range of people interested in performing music and a platform to nurture their talents.
