School pupils tune up with charity street performances

A TRIO of pupils have been serenading neighbours from their front gardens in an effort to bring a little joy to residents during the lockdown.

The youngsters from Ballard School in New Milton have also been fundraising in aid of Lymington Hospital and Oakhaven Hospice and have so far collected £100.

Performing arts scholar and deputy head girl Millie Sandford (16) played a selection of songs including the Sound of Music to those near her home in Everton.

Bert Newitt-Regan (11) delighted his neighbours in New Milton with his rendition of Over the Rainbow on his trombone, which he played during the Thursday evening Clap for Carers.

Ben Clark (11) has been playing his trumpet three times a week in his street in Hordle while fundraising with other children in the neighbourhood.

Victoria Gray, director of performing arts at Ballard School, said: “Music is a huge part of life at Ballard, so I am very proud to see so many pupils continuing their commitment to singing and mastering musical instruments, despite being away from school.

“I was especially pleased to learn of Millie, Bert and Ben sharing their talents and spreading a little joy in the process.”

Headmaster Andrew McCleave added: “We might not be able to spend time with our friends and neighbours as we normally would right now, but we can still connect with them, and music is a wonderful way of doing that, as these pupils have demonstrated.”

All the students will be taking part in Ballard School’s virtual choir, in which pupils, staff, families and alumni record themselves singing a section of Fly to Paradise by Eric Whitacre. All the performances will be edited together to create one piece of music.