Education

Performance & Composition Workshops

 

Education is central to my activities, through delivering workshops in a variety of contexts.

My aim is to communicate the beauty of music to children and older students – to inspire them to develop their own creativity through the process of composing and performing.

Emphasis is placed on attentive listening and creative expression where students will have the opportunity to develop in a group environment. Furthermore, musical traditions from other parts of the world such as Indonesia, Africa, India and Jazz music will be introduced.

This provides a wide range of musical experiences and references for the children, enabling them to learn about another culture, and gives them the opportunity to experience different musical aesthetics.

This will complement their studies of European classical music which is also taught. The children are introduced to a variety of teaching methods that incorporate the traditional teaching perspectives of the culture. The importance of rhythm, form, melody and practice are also explored.

As we start our exploration in music we begin by looking at similarities, much like having a conversation with someone you have just met. The aim is to have fun with music and to play it. The beat of our hearts, the rhythm of tube train sounds - even the sound of someone eating cornflakes!

This is disorganised sound that we would not necessarily call music, but these sounds could be the basis of musical masterpieces when organised by a creative mind.

The children are challenged to develop the techniques involved for musical organisation, and develop their improvisational and compositional skills. The workshops start very simply with fundamentals. They then incorporate more complex teaching material and techniques, including ways to practice.

Where possible the use of video footage of musical performances, making of instruments and other relevant information are used, as well as slide projections and audio recordings to provide a more complete picture of relevant material.

Contact me to book this workshop