"The children really enjoyed the workshop and the chance to work with real musicians who interacted so well with the pupils ...”
“The whole experience was fabulous. The balance of activities was just right as pupils enjoyed listening and watching and then taking part themselves ...”
“More of the same, please.”
Just some of the reactions from curriculum support teachers who’ve been involved with SBCO’s recent series of Meet the Music workshops in autumn 2007 and early spring 2008. The purpose of the project is to take orchestral instruments into primary school classrooms so that pupils have the opportunity to see and hear live musicians up close, and to do some creative work with the players.
On each school visit professional flautist Lis Dooner (who also tutors SBCO’s Flute Choir East) is accompanied by three amateur musicians from SBCO. The visit starts with a short performance of a familiar tune, after which each musician introduces his/her own instrument and answers questions from the pupils. Lis then leads some rhythm games which encourage the children to take an active part, to concentrate, to work as part of a team, and to think about the effects that different rhythms and dynamics can have. Then the children split into two or three groups, and work with tuned percussion and the musicians’ instruments to create a piece of music based around a specific theme chosen by Lis. At the end of the visit, the pieces are played, listened to, and enjoyed by everyone involved.
“The highlight of my day was making music and listening to the different sounds ...”
“You inspired me to try my best with the music I’m playing and keep going even if I find some bits difficult ...”
“It was just a spectacular day at school ..."
Part 2: Nursery Schools Project
Four SBCO musicians led by Lis Dooner have just completed a pilot project in four Borders nursery schools. The players were involved in a training day with Vanessa King of the London Symphony Orchestra. In a joint venture with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Vanessa came up from London to share her wide experience in working with pre-school children with both SCO and SBCO musicians. Over four visits to the nurseries it was wonderful to watch the children growing in confidence and learning to express themselves in song and on percussion instruments. Following evaluation the programme will be offered to more of the 29 schools who applied to take part.
