Michael Gove officially opened a new £11m performing arts centre for King Edward’s School and King Edward VI High School for Girls.
The occasion was celebrated on Friday April 27th and Saturday April 28th with two special concerts featuring the School’s Symphony Orchestra and Choral Society playing Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and Orff’s Carmina Burana.
The £11m Sir Paul and Lady Ruddock Performing Arts Centre, which has been partly funded by a substantial donation from former pupil Sir Paul Ruddock, provides a 400-seater auditorium, 120-seater drama studio, state-of-the art dance and rehearsal rooms, and music facilities.
Both schools have produced a number of alumni who have gone on to be successful in the performing arts including actors Lucy Davis, Lindsay Duncan and ‘Goodie’ Bill Oddie, musician Mr Hudson, and ‘Lord of the Dance’ star John Carey.
There are currently two girls and three boys in the National Youth Orchestra including Roberto Ruisi, who is thought to be the youngest ever leader of the orchestra.
