Amanda Slogrove
The creation of ‘lockdown performances’ through video editing has widened access to music and with Glastonbury 2021 being an online affair there is high chance that the music industry, whilst we long to return to performing live to a crowd, will perhaps retain a hybrid element with online and live concerts. Children have become used to performing in front of a camera, so perhaps this will continue. Amanda Slogrove
Prior to becoming a peri, I was a full-time music teacher at Leweston School. Now, as a peri, I teach at Sherborne Prep, Leweston and Sherborne Primary, and squeeze in teaching private pupils at home! I enjoy the advantages of being able to organise my time around teaching the piano and the reward of teaching children on a 1:1 basis where relationships are formed. Sherborne Prep School has enjoyed a rich musical history, but it is the current Director of Music, Yvonne Fawbert, who brings an infectious buzz to the department
Image: Amelia Slogrove
and has created a plethora of musical activities. The Covid safety measures at Sherborne Prep have enabled teaching to continue, albeit with considerable challenges. The frequent sanitising of instruments, social-distancing of pupils and the requirement to teach from behind a screen might reasonably be considered enough to put off both teacher and pupil, I have found however, that pupils rise to the challenge, showing patience and a resilience that had not previously been required. Wi-Fi issues were overcome, remote lessons became the ‘norm’ and pupils truly gained independence as they made their own notes in music diaries rather than relying upon teachers’ help. These qualities will stand our pupils in good stead and while, like so many other music teachers, I am keen to return to concert performances and ensembles, there are indeed, positives to take. sherborneprep.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 47