Project co-ordinator Vic Ecclestone
said: “The children had a great time singing
together, tackling everything from African songs
to some Indian numbers. It was a great way for
them to learn just how much fun - and how cool
- singing can be. It also gave the youngsters
the chance to enjoy exciting music that they
might not otherwise come across.”
Around 50 Year 6 children from Henbury Court
Primary School had come along to the workshop,
added Mr Ecclestone, who is the Arts Development
Officer in the Colston Hall’s Education
Unit.
The primary school children sang alongside pupils
from Bristol Cathedral School, including a number
of choristers from Bristol Cathedral Choir.
Bristol Cathedral School’s Headmaster,
Mr Kevin Riley, who attended the workshop, said: “I
believe there is much that independent schools
and schools in the maintained sector can learn
from each other.
“For example, at Bristol Cathedral School
we have a tradition of musical excellence, particularly
in choral music, stretching back hundreds of
years. The Bristol Voices project gives us the
opportunity to share that expertise and experience
with children in primary schools and help to
reverse the decline in singing among young people.”
In November 2003, the Government announced
that it was putting an additional £1m into
partnerships between independent and state schools.
|
| Through Bristol Cathedral School , the Choir
Schools Association has given an £8,000
grant to Bristol Voices, with this money coming
indirectly from Government funding. The 11-18
day school contributed a further £1,000
from its own funds and there have also been
substantial contributions from the city council
and from Western Power Distribution. |
During this school year, pupils at nine
LEA primary schools in the North Bristol
Education Action Zone have been receiving
singing lessons from visiting professional
singing teachers as part of Bristol Voices.
In the next phase of the project, it is planned
to launch a Saturday morning choir in Bristol
Cathedral for these children. |
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