Professional musician calls in at our first music holiday club in Pickering
In February half term children from around Ryedale took part in a music day at Pickering Community Junior School. This included singing, musical games and a visit from professional musician Kathryn Rudge.
For further pictures and videos from the day click here.
During the day the children learnt and practiced three songs as well as warming up with music related games and activities. Professional musician Kathryn Rudge then did a ‘question and answer session’ before teaching the children basics of opera singing.
One of the children asked Kathryn Rudge if she gets nervous:
“I always do – but as long as you practice you can take those nerves and use them in the best way”
Michaela De Barr, Pickering Community Junior School’s headteacher, commented:
“Music is very important at our school so we were delighted to provide the venue for the holiday club. Our pupils, together with children from other local schools, thoroughly enjoyed the day and we look forward to hosting more events such as these in the future."
Part of the aim of the Richard Shephard Music Foundation is to offer musical opportunities to local children. As a composer, conductor, teacher and performer, Richard Shephard changed the lives of hundreds of children across York and North Yorkshire and the goal of the Foundation is to extend that legacy and experience to thousands more children across the region. Future plans for the Foundation include the development of junior choirs across Yorkshire.
With schools often lacking the resources or time to develop a truly progressive and challenging music curriculum, the Foundation is aiming to catalyse change. Starting in disadvantaged or isolated communities, the Foundation is subsidising music provision in schools, working with their education partner, Sing Education.
Some of the feedback we received from the children at the holiday club included:
“I have learnt all about opera and how to sing in harmony and have greatly improved control over my voice and thinking for myself what I need to sing when we had to close our eyes.”
“I learnt that if you make mistakes while singing just keep smiling!”
Kathryn Rudge commented: “I was thrilled to visit and to be invited to be a part of the Music Holiday Club. I was so impressed to hear the children’s performances of the songs they had learned during the day and really inspired by their beautiful singing, harmonies and dancing! The special memories and friendships that are made through singing, making music and performing together during childhood stay with you forever - and it was wonderful to see this happening for the children in Pickering.”
Cathy Grant, the Foundation’s General Manager commented: “What a great day was had by all! Massive thanks to Kathryn for coming along and to the Ryedale Festival for linking us up with her to get it all arranged. As well as learning so much during the day and having fun, the children were so inspired to meet a professional singer. They asked her so many questions and sat in awe while she sang part of Habanera from the opera Carmen.”
“We hope to keep these sessions running and are looking to develop a junior choir for the local area. Watch this space!”
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors. They make it all possible, and we’ll be continuing to seek vital funding throughout the year to allow our activities to continue and expand. With plans for further holiday clubs and choirs in the near future. For further information about the Richard Shephard Music Foundation please see: www.rsmf.org.uk or twitter: @MusicShephard
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