Pupils at Kennet Valley C of E VA Primary school are participating in ‘Thinking Music’ a contemporary music project, with staff from Thinking Music and music students from Bristol University. Kennet Valley is one of only three schools in Wiltshire to be involved in this project.
Thinking Music is an initiative seeking to build a sustainable music ecosystem that enriches the lives of children, especially in rural areas where access to musical opportunities may be limited. Run by Alice Poppleton and Frances Leith, the project involves live music making and performance as well as supporting teachers and teaching assistants to develop ways to use music as a tool to deliver the core curriculum. The children participating are also introduced to music students from universities so that they can gain a good insight into potential future career paths in the creative arts.
Kennet Valley pupils in Year 4 and 5 will be working on this project for the rest of the year, with several sessions with Alice, Frances, and their students either in the school or via zoom. The project will culminate in the children travelling to Bristol University for a celebration day where they will perform the song they have written.
On the first day of the project pupils played rhythm games using body percussion and actions to compose simple tunes. They found out about the instruments played by the university students – tuba, viola, trumpet, and flute, and began to write their own verse of a song.
Helen Bushnell, class teaching assistant, commented that, “This was an amazing experience for our children. They are so excited to be able to take part in this project and they loved working with Alice and the students. Alice has built a great relationship with the children, and they are so engaged.”
Children in the class agreed with her saying “I think it’s great! I liked listening to the students playing the different instruments and explaining how they make the sound” and “It was so much fun; I really liked the different music.”
Headteacher, Emma Russell, is delighted that the school is part of the exciting project. “At Kennet Valley we work hard to ensure that all of our children have as many cross curricular opportunities as possible and to be involved in this music project is marvellous. The children have loved their day and can’t wait for the next day with Alice, Frances, and the student musicians. Thank you so much.”
Alice Poppleton, project director, said “WOW – what an amazing day! We love your school. We had the best day and felt so welcome in your school. Thank you so much for joining the project.”
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