A unique celebration of the most talented young
dancers and musicians of a generation.

15 – 16 July 2008
Sadler’s Wells, London

Excellent! is a special event to celebrate the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ (DCSF) Music and Dance Scheme, and the achievements of the country’s most talented young dancers and musicians.

The Music and Dance Scheme supports 1600 exceptionally talented young dancers and musicians to attend a specialist residential school, choir school, junior department of a music conservatoire or centre for advanced training. Almost 30 of these organisations are taking part in Excellent! In addition, new centres (CATs) for advanced training are in development in Suffolk (Aldeburgh and Dance East), Nottingham (Dance 4), Birmingham (DanceXchange and Sampad), and London (Centre for Young Musicians).

Excellent! is the first time that all these organisations have come together. On the first day over 350 young people will perform works created especially for the event. Taking place throughout the foyer and outdoor spaces and in the auditorium, performances will include collaborations between musicians and dancers, featuring classical ensembles, a Big Band, Scottish piper, classical ballet, site-specific work and contemporary dance.