WNO orchestra takes on new instrument challenge for Action for Children

• Tragedy inspires Bristol violinist Emma Waller’s fundraising feats
• 16 WNO orchestra musicians learn new instruments and take mass exam at Wales Millennium Centre

When tragedy inspired Welsh National Opera (WNO) violinist Emma Waller to run her second London Marathon for Action for Children, her colleagues turned her fundraising endeavours into a huge team effort. Fourteen colleagues joined Emma and her daughter in learning a new musical instrument to Grade One level and one at Grade 2 level. They were examined together on Action for Children’s 150th birthday on the 9th July at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

Emma, from Bristol, chose to run in remembrance of Hazel, the young daughter of a colleague who tragically passed away at an early age, in 2018. She has already raised over £2,000 for Action for Children, the leading charity that supports disadvantaged children and families in the UK.

For the past few months 14 members of the orchestra have joined Emma and her daughter in challenging themselves to learn a completely different range of instruments. They have been sponsored to reach Grade One standard and then to pass their Grade One examination with one member taking a Grade 2 French Horn exam – no mean feat alongside a very busy rehearsal and performance schedule.

From piano accordion bassoon and oboe through to cello, percussion, recorder, trombone, trumpet, clarinet, French horn and flute they have fitted in learning sessions around their busy Spring Programme. On 9th July, at a special sitting of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, 16 took their exams.

Emma told Action for Children: “It was a cacophonous whirl of noise in the warm up room, with exam candidates offering each other last minute hints and tips, moral support and fitting in a bit of desperate last-minute practise! Lucky socks and earrings were worn and we’re pretty sure everyone has passed though results are in a fortnight. We’ve raised around £1,000 for Action for Children from this challenge, and I think it’s great this happened on their 150th birthday, the work they do for children is inspirational, so it was great to join the celebrations in style.”

Shelagh Hillier, Community Fundraiser for Action for Action for Children said “This is a fantastic effort and has helped Emma to raise over £3,000 overall to help Action for Children support disadvantaged Children right across the UK. The orchestra have been fantastic supporters and we can’t thank them enough for their ingenious and very entertaining fundraising.’

If you would like to make a donation to the orchestra’s fundraising endeavour, their online page is here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wnograde1team

If you would like to make a donation to Emma’s fundraising, her online page is here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EmmaWaller