Bandstand

A creative music-making opportunity for wind players
from 8-14 years of age.

Bandstand workshops provide opportunities for young people to use their voices and their wind instruments to play, improvise and compose in small instrumental groups, as well as a larger ensemble with qualified, specialist staff.

• Bandstand workshops are creative music sessions for young wind (and bass) players. These are held on a Saturday morning each holiday. Each workshop is based on a stimulus or theme and focuses on learning a particular musical skill or technique.
• Typically the workshop begins with a warm up or 'icebreaker' vocal or movement game, followed by a fun activity for the children to practise the particular music skill being explored.
• The children either improvise or compose music on their wind instruments whilst exploring the theme and musical skill.
• Often props, multi-media resources and a range of instruments (from samba to pitched percussion, untuned soundmakers to African drums, drum machines to steel pans) will also be used to help inspire the children.
• The morning ends with a more traditional ensemble performing a set piece. Finally parents are invited, on their return, to share their children's achievements.

Themes Include:

• Variations on a French Theme • Narnia • Fantasy Forest
• Polar Expedition • Simple Samba • Madhatter's tea party
• Space Odyssey • Circus • Variations on a French theme
• Treasure Island • Blow your canon • Postcards at the
Seaside • For your eyes only • Ancient Olympics • Carnival
• Winter Wonderland • Kung Hei Fat Choy • The Secret
Garden • Prehistoric Park and more...

Musical Skills and techniques might include:

• melody writing • canon • rhythm • ostinato • pitch
• syncopation • pentatonic scale • form • descriptive and/or atmospheric music • texture • creating soundtracks
• musical contrasts • hocket • harmony • theme and variations • structure

What the children and parents say...

"She particularly enjoyed the opportunity to play with other flautists, to improvise and compose and to make some new friends. We think it was a valuable experience for her."

"Just to let you know, Olivia really enjoyed Saturday's Bandstand, especially as she is a big Dr Who fan. I thought it was fantastic, what the children achieved in such a short time. Thank you."

"It's a great opportunity for the children to get together with other musicians, to experiment, to create and most importantly to have fun. Both my boys love the opportunity to get away from the confines of exams, and really learn how to be creative with the instruments."

"Julie's enthusiasm for making music really rubs off on the children - its great to see their excitement at what they have achieved together.

"I like Bandstand because everybody socialises and come together to play and compose music in a really fun way. I make lots of new friends too. I like the way there a lots of different themes and it is a great mix of ages. I wish I could come more often but we are always busy. My favourite theme was the Samba theme and the dinosaurs which were both ages ago! Sophie xx "