Performing Arts Week

Tuesday

On Tuesday 1 November, Alex Laing, Head of Strings at Uppingham School paid us a visit.

He began the afternoon by spending a short time with our older string players, Isaac, Alice, Will and Lewis, giving them sound advice on how to improve their playing.

After a short break, the whole String Orchestra was treated to an informative session, including making the sound bigger and brighter, and how to lead the ensemble without a conductor.

(photos to follow soon)

The session finished with a performance of Jingle Bells, which they hadn't really looked at before Tuesday:

(video to follow soon)

The day ended with a Music Practice Masterclass at which, using some of the pupils (and Mrs Whatley) as guinea pigs, Alex talked through some ideas for livening up music practice and making it more productive.   There was some excellent advice, which I will send out to all parents in due course, and we thank Alex for his time and expertise during the afternoon sessions.

(photo to follow soon)

There is plenty more on this week, starting with a Musical Theatre workshop for the singers in years 7 and 8 tomorrow.

Thursday

Thursday was a busy day in Performing Arts Week. Whilst some pupils were busy taking ABRSM Music exams, we also had a visit from an African Drum teacher who moved over to the UK from Nigeria 6 years ago with his family.

All the children from Year 1 up to Year 6 had a one-hour session and had a fantastic times building up rhythms and learning about African culture.

Friday

On Friday, a Salford-based dancer from Salford called Becky came into school to do a Zumba Workshop with pupils from year 3 up to year 8 as part of Performing Arts Week.

Emilie B wrote afterwards:
“I loved the Zumba workshop because the moves and the songs were really great. My favourite song was the first one by Rihanna … called ‘We Found Love’ and my favourite move was when we shook our whole body! We did about five dances to 5 songs – it kept us moving all the time. The woman [Becky] was very tall with ginger hair tied in a pony tail. She was a very energetic woman! I enjoyed this Zumba lesson! Thank you!”

Summing up the week as a whole, Emily A wrote:
“[Performing Arts Week] has given us the chance to learn about different countries and different ways to dance.”

Thanks go to all of the visiting workshop teachers for their hard work, and to the pupils for being so brilliant at joining in and having a go!