Workshop in Stanningley Primary School
Our workshops are a lively combination of discussion performance, and hands on playing.
A typical day will start with a whole school assembly introducing one or two members who will openly discuss their disability with the children and take questions from the floor. These often develop into lively and interesting conversations with challenging questions and astute observations from the children.
Next will follow a Musical ARC performance of music with whole school participation in the form of singing, clapping or making actions to go with the music.
There will follow a break and then Musical ARC will run workshops with smaller groups of children. (15to 20 at a time) In these sessions children will be grouped in twos and threes with a disabled member of the group who will show their particular instrument and how it works in a more informal way.The children will be encouraged to try out the instruments and to learn simple melodic structures or rhythmic cycles. Each group will learn their part and then we reform as a whole and play the piece.
Within this process there will be singing, rhythm work, melodic structures and improvisation-all the ingredients for great music.
These smaller group sessions allow more time for the children to interact with members in a more relaxed and natural way and give space for conversation and lively interaction.
The day will end with another performance which will include the children and Musical ARC playing together. This may well include a narrative to hold the pieces together.
We welcome suggestions from schools as to alternative structures for the day and are very willing to come in and meet with you to discuss your requirements.
