Escala with Scott Welcomme and two pupils of Upton Junior School
Pupils at Upton Junior School were delighted with a surprise visit to their school from electric string quartet stars Escala.
After an eye-opening tour of the school’s music room, the girls performed in a special assembly for all the children, staff and governors.
Escala, who rose to fame through their success on ITV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, were runners-up in the 2008 series of the TV show.
Escala play at Upton Junior School
Nearly 10 years on, the group are going from strength to strength performing at various venues around the globe.
They arrived at Upton Junior School ahead of their performance at Upton House Music Festival classical night.
The all-female band received rapturous applause from the school after performing their hit single Palladio, both acoustically and with the full production backing track.
One youngster gets some tips from Escala at Upton Junior School, with deputy headmaster Scott Welcomme
Victoria Lyon and Honor Watson, on violin, Stephanie Benedetti on viola and Helen Nash who plays the cello also welcomed two youngsters on stage and let them have a go on one of the electric violins.
Assistant Headteacher and music specialist Scott Welcomme organised the visit, liaising with Escala’s manager and the promotion team at Upton House.
He was thrilled with the day being a huge hit.
The musicians answered pupils’ questions and stayed behind to sign autographs and posed for selfies with their new young fans.
Escala said afterwards: “It was a great pleasure to play for the pupils at Upton Junior School before our concert at the Upton House Music Festival.
“Hopefully we might help inspire some of them to learn to play a string instrument especially with all the resources there are at the school.
“And possibly they will be able to make a career out of music as we have done.”
Scott said: “It was wonderful to have Escala visit Upton Junior School and play for us.
“They really inspired the children and it would be great if it led to us being able to set up an ensemble or orchestral group.
“We were able to organise for the parents and pupils to attend the Escala concert at the Upton House Music Festival, which they really enjoyed.”
Escala met their fans after playing at Upton Junior School
The Classical night from the three-night festival held at the idyllic Upton Country Park, also starred world-renowned bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, Australian soprano Lauren Fagan and the celebrated BSO Concert Orchestra.
Two lucky pupils from the school were fortunate enough to meet Sir Bryn and Lauren during the evening.
Other acts performing at the festival included International superstar singer-songwriter Michael Bolton and top eighties acts Billy Ocean, Kim Wilde and Toyah.
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