School’s Symphony Orchestra to perform The Planets

Gustav Holst’s monumental masterpiece The Planets is being performed by Tonbridge School’s Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the opening of the Barton Science Centre.

The concert, which is free to attend, takes place on Friday 15 March in the school Chapel, and will see 70 boys performing. 

Mark Forkgen, the school’s Director of Music, said a fantastic experience was in store for musicians and listeners alike. “Few pieces fire everyone’s imaginations as much as The Planets,” he said. “Each of the seven movements paints its own unique soundscape, and the work has an unrivalled scale, imagination and creativity. 

“We are performing the entire piece, which means setting our young musicians a huge challenge in terms of skills, both musical and technical, as well as concentration. But I am convinced they will do the school proud, and preparing for this performance will be a tremendous learning experience for all involved.”

The Symphony Orchestra is made up of Tonbridge boys and staff, and is led by Mr Forkgen as conductor. Members of the leading London chamber choir, Canticum, will join the orchestra for the final movement, Neptune.  

The space theme continues in the week following the concert when Tonbridge becomes the first UK school to host Mission Discovery, an exhilarating, week-long competition for pupils which will be overseen by two NASA astronauts. 

These events at the school also tie in with the fact that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Moon Landings.

The concert starts at 8pm. Those attending are asked to book in advance with the school’s EM Forster Theatre on 01732 304241 or at boxoffice@tonbridge-school.org