The Music Department was delighted to welcome fifty Year 6 pupils from 28 local primary and preparatory schools for a World Music Taster Day. The pupils arrived with instruments in hand and full of energy ready for our first session of the day – an orchestral workshop. The orchestra featured almost every orchestral instrument, as well as five classical guitars and a percussion section of over 20 players! The group performed an ‘Eastern March’, ‘Caribbean Carnival’ and a Brazilian-inspired ‘Samborina’.

This was followed by a vocal workshop covering a range of African songs and Afro-American spirituals. The morning finished with a dynamic Samba Drumming session, where all the pupils learned a variety of samba rhythmic patterns and call and response sections – ear plugs were essential! At lunch the pupils refuelled with a Japanese Katsu curry, an Italian pasta carbonara and a Mexican nacho bar.

The day finished with an informal concert for parents who were suitably impressed with the standard and quantity of music put together in just a matter of hours! Mr Turner thanks his Music Department colleagues for all their hard work in putting the day together, along with musicians and award holders from the Senior Divisions who worked alongside and supported our visiting pupils.