Young musicians set to take the stage as part of Abu Dhabi Classics

Lizzie Ball, a violinist with the London Philharmonia Orchestra, left, works with a student from the Raha International School.

A group of students who created a 20-minute orchestra piece in less than 10 hours will perform it at Emirates Palace hotel on Saturday. The youth orchestra will play in the hotel's ballroom before London's Philharmonia Orchestra, performing as part of the Abu Dhabi Classics series of concerts, takes to the auditorium for the main concert.
The group is composed of 35 students aged 12 to 16 who attend the British School - Al Khubairat and Al Raha International School. They composed the piece, which was inspired by Igor Stravinsky's 1910 ballet The Firebird, under the guidance of three members of the London orchestra. The Philharmonia Orchestra often gives students at different stops on its world tours the chance to create their own piece of music to perform.
Paul Rissman, the project leader, said he wanted to "enable young people to access Stravinsky's piece in a practical, hands-on way". Students used different instruments, from the cello to the electric guitar, and followed Mr Rissman's instructions that they should play without looking at the music. "They need to take it off the page and to the body," he said. Lizzie Ball, a violinist with the Philharmonia Orchestra, arrived in the capital on Tuesday to work with the group. The different mix of cultures in Abu Dhabi has helped make the piece distinct, she said.
During a short break from rehearsals yesterday, Zeena Beale, 14, from the British School, and Luke McIntosh, 16, from Al Raha school, said they were excited but slightly nervous about Saturday's show. Zeena, who has been playing the violin for 10 years, said: "This experience has been completely different and really original." "I feel very privileged," said Luke, who plays the electric guitar. "I have only been playing the guitar for a year. It's an honour."
Although rehearsals are seven hours long, "time flies", Luke said. Julia Williamson, head of education at the Philharmonia Orchestra, said she was impressed with what the students had accomplished. She added: "The standard they come out with in such a short time is really impressive." The students' performance will start at 7pm at the Emirates Palace Ballroom on Saturday. Entrance is free. [e-mail]