THE CLUB is actively involved in giving students of all ages the experience of listening to and talking to international chamber music players. The Formosa, Wihan and St Petersburg Quartets have all played in local schools and each year there is a specific programme designed for junior schools. Details of the 2010 project are set out below. Finance for these projects come from the Club's Development Fund, supported by members and local charities and trusts.
SCHOOLS MUSIC PROJECT 2010
At last – March 2010 and the sun was actually shining and the crocus blooming in Norwich to greet Chroma who arrived from London to bring – it seemed – Spring! – as well as music workshops and a concert to six Norwich schools.
The structure is for the schools to attend a free classical music concert at the John Innes. This is preceded by a workshop in each school over a period of three days when the Chroma talk about their instruments and the music. The only cost for the schools is their transport to and from the concert.
The theme this year was “Fairy Tales” including Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev and Ravel's Mother Goose Suite as well as Rory Boyle's Cinderella (based on the Roald Dahl version).
Chroma is a group of professional musicians well known to Music Club members They comprised their leader Stuart King (clarinet) Yevgeny Chebykin (horn) Julian Sperry (flute) Martin Cousin (piano and drum!) Emma Harding (bassoon) and Clare Hoskins (oboe plus actions for Sleeping Beauty) An additional non playing Chroma member this year was Angie Wallis who brought her acting skills to the role of narrator in Cinderella.
Schools participating this year were primary schools Eaton, Cringleford V A, Bignold, Tuckswood and Bluebell plus West Earlham Junior. Although numbers for the concert are limited by the capacity of the concert hall at 329, for the workshops in schools we were able to reach an estimated 450 children and their teachers.
The Concert programme was:
Le Tombeau de Couperin – Rigaudin – Ravel
The Sorcerer's Apprentice-Dukas
Ma Mere L'Oye (Mother Goose) – Ravel
Sleeping Beauty
Tom Thumb
Little Miss Ugly Face, Empress of the Pagodas
The Fairy Garden
Cinderella – Rory Boyle
Feedback from the schoolteachers
“The children were amazed at the range of notes each instrument has. Lots of children want to learn one of the demonstrated instruments. You have certainly inspired them. [They] keep talking about it. An experience they would never normally get." West Earlham Junior
“Opened many children's ideas to instruments they had not experienced before… and... attending a concert. Some expressed an interest in learning an instrument.” Tuckswood Primary
“The whole experience is such a great learning exercise for the children. So many different aspects of… the curriculum that can be done around the music.” Bignold Primary School
Feedback from the schoolchildren
Many thank you cards with colourful drawings of instruments from Tuckswood Primary. They particularly enjoyed the modern Roald Dahl Cinderella with narration from Angie Wallis:
“Thank you for inviting us to see you. I liked the music lots and lots.
I liked the Cinderella story it made me laugh and smile.”
(Yasmin Year 3)
“ I liked the Cinderella story. I really enjoyed it because the lady readed very well.” (Lauren)
In our worknotes for the teachers we suggested the children might want to consider a happier ending to Peter and the Wolf and Bignold had a go. These are some of their suggestions:
“The Wolf in his hurry had swallowed the duck alive...
The duck had to tickle the inside of the wolf and he got hiccups. The duck climbed out and went to the middle of the pond where no one would get her. They were all happy.” (Harry)
“They heard a duckish sound from the wolf's mouth instead of a wolfish sound... Then they heard a cough and out came the duck. Peter hugged the duck and they lived happily ever after” (Daniel)
“Grandpa bravely put his hand in and pulled out the duck... she waddled off to the pond to wash off the slime. The wolf went to the Zoo and Grandpa and Peter went back to their house to have a nice hot chocolate. The End.” (Mia B)
Feedback from the organisers
Most of the children (ages 7-11) would never have attended a formal concert before. Indeed for one of the adult teaching assistants who attended, it was also a new experience for him. The sound of amazement from the children as they entered the concert hall for the first time and found their seats was a delight. One school had been teaching “concert etiquette” in readiness.
A number are learning instruments but have never seen them played professionally. Indeed their playing i.e. being part of a group of musicians, wearing a badge “of belonging” gives them an identity, something to be proud of, when their lives generally may just be a bit short of self worth.
“A very satisfying if tiring few days. Great to see the children moving to the music, recognising the tunes they heard in the workshops. Chroma were terrific with the children. Personally having heard Peter and the Wolf 6 times in 3 days I felt Petered out by the end! However I was cheered by a comment from a youngster at Cringleford who asked me if I had organised the workshop-and when I said yes, his response was, “Nice work!”
Susan Jack Club Educational Coordinator
Some interesting names of instruments according to the children (in fairness only one from this session):
1 – a “faboon” ( bassoon)
2 – an “elbow” (oboe)
and 3 – a “cardigan” (accordion)
Funding
None of this could be achieved by the Club alone which seeks additional funding from other trusts and charities. This year we thank wholeheartedly the trustees of the following for their additional generous support for this project, namely:
The Ernest Cook Trust, the Sir Peter Seaman Charity, the Foundation of Joanna Scott, the Barbara Whatmore Trust, the Paul Bassham Charitable Trust, the D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Archant Charity Appeals Committee, John Lewis Partnership and East of England Cooperative Society Community Dividend Fund.
SCHOOLS MUSIC PROJECT 2009
This, the eleventh Schools Music Project, took place on March 4-6 and involved the following seven Norwich schools: Recreation Road Infants, Bignold Primary, Tuckswood Community Primary, Eaton Primary, Cringleford First, Little Melton Primary and Bluebell Primary.
The Chroma Ensemble (a professional group of musicians based in London), through their leader Stuart King, not only prepared the programme of music but also arranged the pieces for the Ensemble and provided useful source materials for the teachers to use in preparation for the visits. These materials included details of the music, the composers and useful websites for further background research.
Chroma 2009 project team
The music featured was Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite (‘Morning’ and ‘Hall of the Mountain King’), excerpts from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (‘Hut on Chicken Legs’ and ‘The Witch Baba Yaga’) plus Night on a Bare Mountain.
Children in action at the Chroma concert, John Innes Centre, Feb 2008
So with trolls, witches and firebirds to spark the children’s imagination, the teachers could also work on other related activities in art, drama and creative writing.
Some of the schools have been involved in the project for a number of years, but those which had not were visited by Susan Jack to discuss the programme and source materials with the teachers prior to Chroma’s visit to each school. This gave an opportunity to introduce Chroma and their instruments to the children in advance, as well as extracts from the music.
The ensemble comprised Stuart King on clarinet, Tom Hanky on violin, Claire O’Connell on cello, Roderick Chadwick on piano, Ian Watson on accordion and Evgeny Chebykin on horn.
Children in action at the Chroma concert, John Innes Centre, Feb 2008
The schools were then invited to a concert at the John Innes Centre, when Chroma played all the music in the repertoire. Although numbers were limited to the capacity of the venue, the visit to the schools enabled much greater numbers of children to be involved – often restricted only by the size of the school hall. In total, over 600 children were involved in the project. There was no cost to the schools other than transport to and from the John Innes Centre.
Feedback has been tremendous:
‘The musicians were excellent. They had the children fully captivated throughout’ (Tuckswood re the visits)
‘What a wonderful experience, especially for children who don’t get given this sort of experience by their parents’ (Tuckswood re the concert)
‘The sense of anticipation in school prior to the concert was immense. Many of the children had never listened to classical music before and had no idea that it could convey a story’ (Bignold)
‘We listen to music while we work and the children now regularly request ‘Morning’ or ‘some Stravinsky’ (Bignold)
‘It was a good idea that the children met the same musicians – it felt as though they were meeting friends’ (Eaton re the concert)
‘Please let us know of any future events in which we can participate’ (Eaton)
And these comments came from one set of schoolchildren who all wrote to the musicians and sent them drawings of firebirds and huts on chicken legs:
‘You guys are so tallented [sic] and one day I wish I can play like you‘
‘When me and my best friends got back to the coach all we could think about is you playing because you’re amazing’
‘Your music really inspired me to play like that when I’m older because I play the piano’
‘Your music is wonderful. Thank you for your wonderful insterments [sic]. The concert was brilliant!’
Says it all really!
The event was supported by the Music Club’s Development Fund and donations and grants from individuals and charitable trusts, to which the Club is indebted for enabling this project to continue for another year.
The trusts supporting this project were the Chivers Trust, Anguish Educational Foundation, Town Close Estate Charity, East of England Cooperative Society and the Norman Foundation.
Future Projects
It is intended that this work will be continued on an annual basis funded from the Club's own Development resources with the assistance of donations from local trusts.
SCHOOLS MUSIC PROJECT 2010
At last – March 2010 and the sun was actually shining and the crocus blooming in Norwich to greet Chroma who arrived from London to bring – it seemed – Spring! – as well as music workshops and a concert to six Norwich schools.
The structure is for the schools to attend a free classical music concert at the John Innes. This is preceded by a workshop in each school over a period of three days when the Chroma talk about their instruments and the music. The only cost for the schools is their transport to and from the concert.
The theme this year was “Fairy Tales” including Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev and Ravel's Mother Goose Suite as well as Rory Boyle's Cinderella (based on the Roald Dahl version).
Chroma is a group of professional musicians well known to Music Club members They comprised their leader Stuart King (clarinet) Yevgeny Chebykin (horn) Julian Sperry (flute) Martin Cousin (piano and drum!) Emma Harding (bassoon) and Clare Hoskins (oboe plus actions for Sleeping Beauty) An additional non playing Chroma member this year was Angie Wallis who brought her acting skills to the role of narrator in Cinderella.
Schools participating this year were primary schools Eaton, Cringleford V A, Bignold, Tuckswood and Bluebell plus West Earlham Junior. Although numbers for the concert are limited by the capacity of the concert hall at 329, for the workshops in schools we were able to reach an estimated 450 children and their teachers.
The Concert programme was:
Le Tombeau de Couperin – Rigaudin – Ravel
The Sorcerer's Apprentice-Dukas
Ma Mere L'Oye (Mother Goose) – Ravel
Sleeping Beauty
Tom Thumb
Little Miss Ugly Face, Empress of the Pagodas
The Fairy Garden
Cinderella – Rory Boyle
Feedback from the schoolteachers
“The children were amazed at the range of notes each instrument has. Lots of children want to learn one of the demonstrated instruments. You have certainly inspired them. [They] keep talking about it. An experience they would never normally get." West Earlham Junior
“Opened many children's ideas to instruments they had not experienced before… and... attending a concert. Some expressed an interest in learning an instrument.” Tuckswood Primary
“The whole experience is such a great learning exercise for the children. So many different aspects of… the curriculum that can be done around the music.” Bignold Primary School
Feedback from the schoolchildren
Many thank you cards with colourful drawings of instruments from Tuckswood Primary. They particularly enjoyed the modern Roald Dahl Cinderella with narration from Angie Wallis:
“Thank you for inviting us to see you. I liked the music lots and lots.
I liked the Cinderella story it made me laugh and smile.”
(Yasmin Year 3)
“ I liked the Cinderella story. I really enjoyed it because the lady readed very well.” (Lauren)
In our worknotes for the teachers we suggested the children might want to consider a happier ending to Peter and the Wolf and Bignold had a go. These are some of their suggestions:
“The Wolf in his hurry had swallowed the duck alive...
The duck had to tickle the inside of the wolf and he got hiccups. The duck climbed out and went to the middle of the pond where no one would get her. They were all happy.” (Harry)
“They heard a duckish sound from the wolf's mouth instead of a wolfish sound... Then they heard a cough and out came the duck. Peter hugged the duck and they lived happily ever after” (Daniel)
“Grandpa bravely put his hand in and pulled out the duck... she waddled off to the pond to wash off the slime. The wolf went to the Zoo and Grandpa and Peter went back to their house to have a nice hot chocolate. The End.” (Mia B)
Feedback from the organisers
Most of the children (ages 7-11) would never have attended a formal concert before. Indeed for one of the adult teaching assistants who attended, it was also a new experience for him. The sound of amazement from the children as they entered the concert hall for the first time and found their seats was a delight. One school had been teaching “concert etiquette” in readiness.
A number are learning instruments but have never seen them played professionally. Indeed their playing i.e. being part of a group of musicians, wearing a badge “of belonging” gives them an identity, something to be proud of, when their lives generally may just be a bit short of self worth.
“A very satisfying if tiring few days. Great to see the children moving to the music, recognising the tunes they heard in the workshops. Chroma were terrific with the children. Personally having heard Peter and the Wolf 6 times in 3 days I felt Petered out by the end! However I was cheered by a comment from a youngster at Cringleford who asked me if I had organised the workshop-and when I said yes, his response was, “Nice work!”
Susan Jack Club Educational Coordinator
Some interesting names of instruments according to the children (in fairness only one from this session):
1 – a “faboon” ( bassoon)
2 – an “elbow” (oboe)
and 3 – a “cardigan” (accordion)
Funding
None of this could be achieved by the Club alone which seeks additional funding from other trusts and charities. This year we thank wholeheartedly the trustees of the following for their additional generous support for this project, namely:
The Ernest Cook Trust, the Sir Peter Seaman Charity, the Foundation of Joanna Scott, the Barbara Whatmore Trust, the Paul Bassham Charitable Trust, the D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Archant Charity Appeals Committee, John Lewis Partnership and East of England Cooperative Society Community Dividend Fund.
SCHOOLS MUSIC PROJECT 2009
This, the eleventh Schools Music Project, took place on March 4-6 and involved the following seven Norwich schools: Recreation Road Infants, Bignold Primary, Tuckswood Community Primary, Eaton Primary, Cringleford First, Little Melton Primary and Bluebell Primary.
The Chroma Ensemble (a professional group of musicians based in London), through their leader Stuart King, not only prepared the programme of music but also arranged the pieces for the Ensemble and provided useful source materials for the teachers to use in preparation for the visits. These materials included details of the music, the composers and useful websites for further background research.
Chroma 2009 project team
The music featured was Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite (‘Morning’ and ‘Hall of the Mountain King’), excerpts from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (‘Hut on Chicken Legs’ and ‘The Witch Baba Yaga’) plus Night on a Bare Mountain.
Children in action at the Chroma concert, John Innes Centre, Feb 2008
So with trolls, witches and firebirds to spark the children’s imagination, the teachers could also work on other related activities in art, drama and creative writing.
Some of the schools have been involved in the project for a number of years, but those which had not were visited by Susan Jack to discuss the programme and source materials with the teachers prior to Chroma’s visit to each school. This gave an opportunity to introduce Chroma and their instruments to the children in advance, as well as extracts from the music.
The ensemble comprised Stuart King on clarinet, Tom Hanky on violin, Claire O’Connell on cello, Roderick Chadwick on piano, Ian Watson on accordion and Evgeny Chebykin on horn.
Children in action at the Chroma concert, John Innes Centre, Feb 2008
The schools were then invited to a concert at the John Innes Centre, when Chroma played all the music in the repertoire. Although numbers were limited to the capacity of the venue, the visit to the schools enabled much greater numbers of children to be involved – often restricted only by the size of the school hall. In total, over 600 children were involved in the project. There was no cost to the schools other than transport to and from the John Innes Centre.
Feedback has been tremendous:
‘The musicians were excellent. They had the children fully captivated throughout’ (Tuckswood re the visits)
‘What a wonderful experience, especially for children who don’t get given this sort of experience by their parents’ (Tuckswood re the concert)
‘The sense of anticipation in school prior to the concert was immense. Many of the children had never listened to classical music before and had no idea that it could convey a story’ (Bignold)
‘We listen to music while we work and the children now regularly request ‘Morning’ or ‘some Stravinsky’ (Bignold)
‘It was a good idea that the children met the same musicians – it felt as though they were meeting friends’ (Eaton re the concert)
‘Please let us know of any future events in which we can participate’ (Eaton)
And these comments came from one set of schoolchildren who all wrote to the musicians and sent them drawings of firebirds and huts on chicken legs:
‘You guys are so tallented [sic] and one day I wish I can play like you‘
‘When me and my best friends got back to the coach all we could think about is you playing because you’re amazing’
‘Your music really inspired me to play like that when I’m older because I play the piano’
‘Your music is wonderful. Thank you for your wonderful insterments [sic]. The concert was brilliant!’
Says it all really!
The event was supported by the Music Club’s Development Fund and donations and grants from individuals and charitable trusts, to which the Club is indebted for enabling this project to continue for another year.
The trusts supporting this project were the Chivers Trust, Anguish Educational Foundation, Town Close Estate Charity, East of England Cooperative Society and the Norman Foundation.
Future Projects
It is intended that this work will be continued on an annual basis funded from the Club's own Development resources with the assistance of donations from local trusts.