MIDSUMMER MUSIC ARCHIVE
For three years, 2006, 2007, and 2008, we ran a music course for children in the summer holidays with two professional musician friends.
We decided in 2009, for various reasons, to discontinue Midsummer Music for the time being. The following details, however, may be of interest.
Midsummer Music Course for Children
In 2005 James, the six yearold son of friends, went on a week-long music course and was bored. We discussed this with the friends, Rowena and Paul Thompson, professional string players and teachers, and decided that the four of us could run a course which would inspire, excite and educate children and definitely not bore them. We called the course “Midsummer Music”, and began to make plans.
2006 - PETER AND THE WOLF
Deciding to build the week round Prokofiev’s “Peter and The Wolf”, we began to look for masks, costumes, instruments and, of course, the music. The children all painted a cover for the CDs which Paul produced of recordings of the work done during the week. Last thing on the Friday everyone joined in a concert, to which relatives and friends were invited. Some of the children had never played a note before coming on the course. We hoped we’d done a reasonable job for the kids, and this was sort of confirmed when we heard that one of our nine year-olds, at breakfast on the Friday, burst into tears and said “It’s the last day today. What am I going to do with my life after this?”
2007 - CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS
The music for the 2007 Midsummer Music course was Saint Saëns “Carnival of the Animals”. On the Thursday we were fortunate to have a visit from John Myatt and colleague Adrian Woods, who brought a range of wind instruments for the children (and adults!) to try. John, a clarinettist with whom Kate played over 40 years ago, runs one of the best known music shops in the country. As in 2006, the week ended with a concert, which everyone felt was a fitting climax to a great five days.
2008 - PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION
Time rushes on at a breakneck pace, and we will soon be getting ready for Midsummer Music 2008, the music for which will be Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition”. If you would like your youngster (between 5 and 12 years) to be considered, please complete and print out the form below and post it to Rowena Thompson (address below) with a cheque for the full amount (£135) or a deposit of £25. If paying a deposit, please send the balance of £110 to arrive no later than Saturday 5th July. We give a £20 discount for siblings. There is a limit to the number of children we can work with, so if you are late in applying we will return your cheque and suggest that you try again next year. As soon as our list is full we will make it clear on this website.
No previous musical experience or tuition is necessary, but children who have already started instrumental or singing lessons will be welcome. They will have the opportunity to try many of the instruments of the modern orchestra, and will take part in singing, recorder playing, arts and crafts and storytelling. The week will culminate in a concert (3pm Friday 22nd August) to which parents and friends are invited.
The timetable will run from 9.30am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday, and morning and afternoon refreshments will be provided. Each child should bring a packed lunch and drink, an art apron, a recorder, and their other instrument/s as appropriate.
HOW THE WEEK WAS ORGANISED
We began by welcoming the children, showing them round the premises, and suggesting that we all sit in a circle. All, including adults, introduced themselves, giving name, age, personal interests, musical experience if any. We then explained that the week’s work will be based on a particular piece of music, and played a CD of the piece, pointing out salient points. It was time then for a break so the children had juice and a biscuit, and full use of the nursery’s large stock of bikes, scooters and other toys while we, now knowing a little of their musical skills (or otherwise), organised them into groups.
The rest of the week seemed to continue smoothly, with everyone getting involved in painting covers for CDs, doing craftwork, and of course learning and performing music. Our aim was always to give the children a stimulating musical and social experience, and we feel that we succeeded.
If circumstances change, we may resume Midsummer Music.
