Star Wars school concerts wow children across Wrexham

The performance was part of a series of shows by the Make Some Noise Band from the North Wales Music Cooperative.

The series aims to entertain and inspire 50,000 schoolchildren across North Wales.

James Corbett as Darth Vader (Image: Mandy Jones)

Featuring a dramatic showdown between Darth Vader and Princess Leia, the concerts are being broadcast live to 150 primary schools and performed in person at 23 secondary schools.

Wyn Pearson, artistic lead for the project, said: "The purpose of the concerts is to give the youngsters a chance to enjoy themselves, to sing along and dance if they want.

"We also want to encourage and inspire those who don't play musical instruments to maybe think about taking one up.

"It's a great thing to do."

The series aims to entertain and inspire 50,000 schoolchildren (Image: Mandy Jones)

The 11-piece band, based at the cooperative’s headquarters in Denbigh, is touring schools to encourage children to enjoy music, try new instruments, and sing.

This year’s show includes a Star Wars theme, after children were asked to vote for their favourite songs and singers.

Mr Pearson said: "We've been doing these concerts for a few years now and this time we asked the youngsters themselves who their favourite singers are and to name their favourite songs.

"We've taken the results on board which is why we're doing the Star Wars theme."

The programme also includes Michael Jackson’s Thriller, a K-pop hit, a song by Welsh band Bwncath, and Justin Timberlake’s Can't Stop the Feeling.

Sara Davies (Image: Mandy Jones)

All band members are music tutors with the North Wales Music Cooperative, a not-for-profit organisation delivering music tuition to children and young people.

Princess Leia was played by award-winning mezzo-soprano Sioned Terry from Abergele, while Sara Davies from Old Colwyn also performed.

Ms Davies, winner of the 2024 Cân i Gymru competition, said: "Singing with the Make Some Noise band is something I really enjoy doing.

"It's great fun working with such talented musicians and singing songs I would normally never sing on my own."

Ms Terry said: "It's great to sing with a band and perform songs to such a large number of young people.

Sara Davies, Matty Roberts and Sioned Terry (Image: Mandy Jones)

"The Make Some Noise project is a wonderful initiative and hopefully it will continue to be successful."

The service delivers weekly music lessons to 5,000 children and has been described as a "national treasure" by its patron, royal composer Professor Paul Mealor.

Chair of the North Wales Music Cooperative, Cllr Mark Young, said: "The musicians and singers from Make Some Noise are an absolutely brilliant band and I am sure they will inspire lots of the young people who hear them to get involved in music."