MUSICAL youngsters from a York secondary school bridged the generation gap as part of a festive extravaganza.

About 25 pupils from Millthorpe School took part in a Big Christmas Sing, where residents from City of York Council care homes came together for an inter-generational event with Millthorpe’s jazz band providing the entertainment.

In addition, pupils took part in a number of musicbased workshop activities with residents, at the event held in York’s Priory Street Centre.

Organiser and community musician Fiona Chapman, who runs a prgramme called Musical Connections, working closely with the council, said: “We are extremely fortunate that this is the second time that Millthorpe’s jazz band has joined us for such an event.

“They were a spectacular success at our Easter Big Sing, and residents and care staff were universally delighted and impressed with the enthusiasm, good humour and friendliness of the students – as well as delivering typically excellent performances, they really made an effort to talk to and join in with residents during the other elements of the session and our Christmas celebrations were an equal success.”

Mrs Chapman said she had also worked with All Saints’ RC School, plus Wigginton, Poppleton Road, Ralph Butterfield, St Aelred’s RC and Burton Green Primary Schools on similar events.

She said: “The residents absolutely love it.

It’s a myth that old people only like old music; in reality they love anything with a strong beat and really like seeing the youngsters.”

Boyce Jackson, Millthorpe School’s head of music, said: “It was full of festive fun; a meeting of generations in which the jazz band had the opportunity to entertain the guests before taking part in an excellent workshop led by Kate Chapman. The students really enjoyed it and we’re keen to keep this up as an annual event.”

Head teacher Trevor Burton said: “It was a pleasure to see Millthorpe students learning alongside, and relating so well to York’s senior citizens.

“The quality of relationships between young and old was inspirational – and something quite contrary to the negative stereotypical expectations we have of the way young people today relate to their elders.”