Arts News
Latest news:
SoundStart
We are proud to announce that Duncombe and
St Andrews primary schools have just joined the programme as SoundStart Band
schools, and Grafton Primary has started as SoundStart String Ensemble. Plans
for a Secondary SoundStart and SoundStart Recorders are underway, more
information on this to follow shortly. To find out more contact Len Cunningham
on 0207 527 5536.
The SoundStart project was piloted in St Joseph's and Gillespie Primary
Schools last year. This involved all members of a Year 5 class in learning to
play an instrument at the same time, playing in either a class band (St
Joseph's) or string ensemble (Gillespie). Demonstration sessions and taster
sessions were held to give pupils the opportunity to try out each of the
instruments and make a well informed decision about which one they would like
to play. The project was a success and both the band and ensemble are
progressing marvellously. The SoundStart programme is a one-year complete
musical experience. There is a one-hour lesson each week for approximately 10
weeks each term. Pupils are provided with the instrument of their choice to
take home and practise on and they are given a CD of backing tracks to play
with. At the end of each term there is a concert to show parents and other
pupils how they are progressing.
Islington Youth Jazz Band
The Islington Big Band
has undergone some changes including a new conductor, Nathan Theodoulou,
joining Nick Wilkinson, and a new rehearsal schedule, as well as a change of
name. Rehearsals will be at the Banrsbury Centre, Offord Road on Thursdays
from 4.15 – 6pm. The band is continuing its relationship with both BBC concert
orchestra and London Symphony Orchestra with upcoming projects. For more
information call 020 7527 5536.
Database of Artists
Schools can make links with
artists, peripatetic music tutors, musicians, dancers and dance coaches,
stand-up comedians, scriptwriters and dramatic performers, and a wealth of
other talented individuals and companies all willing to help enhance the arts
in Islington schools. Please contact 020 7527 5672 with any queries. Please
note that in some cases the quality assurance, CRB checks and costs will need
to be monitored by schools themselves. Who are the artists working in your
schools? If you would like to share a good group or individual’s details we’d
love to add these people to our database and hear more about the projects that
are going on in your schools.
Update from Summer Term's performances:
We had a marvellous range of performances at the end of the last academic year.
The Islington Youth Theatre’s production of Room 304
took place
early July; a musical play written and acted by the young theatre troop
themselves. This was a roaring success and DVDs of the performance will soon
become available to buy. Details of how copies can be purchased will be sent
directly to schools. Many thanks particularly to Mary Huane, Youth Theatre
director, for her unwavering dedication.
Islington’s first ever Pure Voices
event took place at Highbury
Grove at the end of June; a fifteen school-strong choral event, the likes of
which Islington has never seen before. This, the first of many we hope, was a
success and a fantastic achievement for all those involved. Parents and
schools can purchase the DVD of the event, schools will be informed as to how
this can be done. Thanks to all the schools’ choirs and ensembles that made it
happen.
Well done to those that participated in these and many of the other events
across the borough.
Spring term news:
Islington Junior Dance & Drama performance
On
Wednesday 22nd March the four junior Dance and Drama centres came together for
a unique four-part performance of The Wizard of Oz, at Union Chapel. The
parents were very pleased with their children's talented renditions of the
well-known story and songs, and our thanks go out to Eastside as well as the
schools and teachers where the dance and drama centres are based for helping
our pupils put on such a fun event.
Music For Youth Regional Festival
This year's festival
took place at St Luke's LSO again, on the 23rd March. It was a very successful
morning for Islington school groups. See photos below.
Click to
download picture of the excellent
IAMS Samba & Steel Pan band
Click to download another picture
of the
IAMS Samba & Steel Pans band
Click to download picture of the
amazing
Duncombe band
Click to download another picture of the amazing
Duncombe band
Click to download picture of the brilliant
EGA Senior Choir
Click to download picture of the superb
Duncombe Choir
Click to download fantastic
Rotherfield Choir
Click to download marvellous
St Johns Upper Holloway Band
SoundStart Pilot comes to Islington!
SoundStart began in
September 2001, when 30 young pupils from Elmwood Primary School in Croydon
became the first to try this unique musical experiment. Unlike most music
tuition that takes place outside the classroom, Soundstart takes a whole class
from beginner to concert in one term. Jupiter brass and woodwind and their UK
distributor Korg UK, working with Croydon Music Services, gave each child an
instrument of their choice – a wide range from flutes to saxophones, some of
which the children had never seen or heard before. “SoundStart supports the
school's music curriculum” says Brendan Le Page of Croydon Music Services who
created the scheme, “It enhances music's status in the school and provides
development for teachers”. However the benefits of the scheme have been seen
across a much wider area than just the classroom. It has become increasingly
well known of the positive benefits learning music has on overall education
but what is becoming clearer is the behavioral benefits learning music as a
whole group in class can have on the school overall.
To read more
about this visit
http://www.musicmanifesto.co.uk/news/detail.cfm?&id=65
The SoundStart project is currently being piloted in St Joseph's and Gillespie
Primary Schools. This will envolve all members of a Year 5 class in learning
to play an instrument at the same time, playing in either a class band (St
Joseph's) or string ensemble (Gillespie). Demonstration sessions and taster
sessions were held to give pupils the opportunity to try out each of the
instruments and make a well informed decision about which one they would like
to play.
The SoundStart programme is a one-year complete musical experience. There is a
one hour lesson each week for approximately 10 weeks each term. Pupils are
provided with the instrument of their choice to take home and practise on and
they will be given a CD of backing tracks to play with. At the end of each
term there will be a concert to show parents and other pupils how they are
progressing. So far the band and ensemble are progressing marvellously.
Arts Awards
Sponsored by the Arts Council, the Arts
Award is the first award scheme to recognise the development of young artists
and young arts leaders. Islington are likely to have a number of Arts Award
Centres and training is currently underway for Arts Awards Advisors within the
borough.
We have awarded schools and establishments for their involvement in the arts
but never before have young people been recognised and received accredited
awards for their practice and leadership in the arts, in a way that is not
dissimilar to the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. The Arts Award celebrates the
creative progress made by young people and not just their artistic skill.
Aimed largely at secondary aged students, although inclusive of those primary
aged pupils that show particular flair and skill, the awards are divided into
3 levels:
Bronze:
This is achievable for people at all stages of their
development and is particularly suitable for individuals who have never
experienced art before.
Silver:
This challenges young people to develop a good understanding of
their chosen art form as well as how to engage with it in a community context.
Gold:
At this level young people are working as artists. They are
challenged to broaden and extend the arts knowledge and activity. They learn
how their practice relates to the arts sector as a whole. They explore a new
art genre and develop a piece of wok that integrates or is influenced by the
new genre or art form.
For more information about the Arts Awards visit
http://www.artsaward.org.uk
For more information about Islington’s Art Award Centres, contact Len
Cunningham, School Improvement Officer: Art, Media & Technology (020 7527
5536) or Kate Kelly, Learning Plus Manager (020 7527 5583).
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