MY COMMUNITY
Adding another string to your bow Young people in Brent are taking advantage of opportunities to work with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) while developing their interest in playing classical music on a professional stage.
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YOUR BRENT | WINTER 2021
Khadra Mohamed
E
ighty three percent of young people under 25 years are listening to and enjoying classical music, according to the RPO’s research. This is great news for local young people who now have the opportunity to shine in an area of music that many may previously have felt excluded from. Khadra Mohamed, 22, jumped at the chance to become a Production Assistant intern with the RPO as part of a scheme supported by the Mo Siewcharran Fund. Khadra said: “I have lived in Brent all my life and jumped at the opportunity to work on Wemba’s Dream. It felt like fate had landed me this opportunity when I finished my degree. “I knew nothing about the RPO or any orchestra before I joined the production of
Wemba’s Dream
Wemba’s Dream. I am not from a musical background, don’t play any instruments and can’t read music. “Seeing the look on people’s faces during the performance really made me appreciate the importance of this event; it brought the community together. My little brother was so inspired he asked to join Brent Youth Theatre. This has been a fantastic opportunity and I’m excited about my next adventure.” Over the past 15 years, the RPO has worked with more than 9,000 young people in Brent. To find out more about the RPO visit: www.rpo.co.uk. For more information about the Mo Siewcharran Fund, which helps people from under-represented backgrounds to thrive in the creative industries, visit: www.creativeaccess.org/uk
