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Book tickets now: 0844 880 8094 / cheltenhamfestivals.com/maestro
School workshops: MUSICAL EXPLORERS As part of our British Musical Explorers focus this year, composer and educator Liz Lane will be offering school workshops exploring traditional African Music through song and percussion, as well as exploring the amazing African adventure of musical explorer David Fanshawe. MAKING MUSIC WITH THE OMM M11 Friday 6 July at 10.30am in Cheltenham Town Hall An exclusive activity morning for schools and pupils of Gloucestershire Music service, who will have the chance to hear this top-class Singapore orchestra in rehearsal and try out some instruments for themselves.
Information:
A bandwagon I’m more than happy to jump on Making classical music fun by composer Hannah Kendall. Two years ago I got a phone call out of the blue from Cheltenham festivals, asking whether I’d like to join a bandwagon... Once it was explained that this was in fact a new and fresh initiative that would deliver live classical music performances and workshops to primary school children, I immediately jumped on board.Classical music,unfortunately, is still largely viewed as being for a certain few and not for all, but what’s really exciting is that there are fantastic programmes, such as Bandwagon, doing great work to change this. By taking classical music out of the concert hall and bringing it directly to hundreds of children in their primary schools over a week, they are given the freedom to engage with it in a non-intimidating environment. They learn about all the different instruments, ask Maestro Magazine
questions, make their own music and most importantly explore their own creativity. The children are also able to identify with some of the first-rate music-making that’s happening on their door step by working with composers and musicians involved in the Festival. The unique aspect that I particularly love about Bandwagon is that the performers are incredibly talented 16 to 18-year-olds, our upand-coming professional classical musicians. At the beginning of the week us oldies give them a lot of guidance on how best to work with young children and get their creativity flowing, but by the end of the week, they’re running many of the sessions themselves. It’s great to see them develop their own skills over such a short period of time, skills that will most certainly be invaluable in their own future careers.
A vivid memory from last year’s Festival was being involved in the sold-out concert for schools at Cheltenham Town Hall. Hundreds of children enjoying, moving and singing along to music performed by the Bandwagon players, the Festival Academy ensemble and worldrenowned pianist James Rhodes.You could tell that they also got a real buzz from being able to say hello to and chat with some of the musicians that they had already met at school after the performance.All of these activities really do go a long way to help children and young people develop a life-long appreciation for classical music and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Bandwagon runs from Monday 9 to Friday 13 July. For more details visit: cheltenhamfestivals.com/ bandwagon
FREE FOR SCHOOLS Cheltenham Music Festival is committed to making music accessible to all, and again we are offering free tickets to accompanied school groups for all concerts. This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to experience the thrill of live music. Please note that tickets are limited, subject to availability, and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Free for Schools booking opens on 1 May 2012. For full details please visit: cheltenhamfestivals.com/education Venue: Cheltenham Town Hall Date: Fri 13 Jul / Time: 10.30am
M59 Bandwagon
Concert for Schools The last day of the Bandwagon project sees them leading a concert for schools, packed full of audience participation and special guests. This is followed by Have-a-go sessions and Meet the Gamelan. Gloucestershire Music Service and Gloucester Academy of Music are giving children a chance to try out a whole range of instruments, with the help of our Bandwagon students and volunteers. And new this year, is a chance to see the Festival’s very own Javanese Gamelan, which is available to book for school workshops all year round. For more information, visit: cheltenhamfestivals.com/education For full event details go to page 28
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