Music mini-tour to St Cuthbert's and Kibworth Primary Schools
LGS pupils in Years 7-9 that are part of the Sinfonietta, took part in a music mini-tour of two local primary schools. Performing a range of chamber music and orchestral music to around 1000 pupils, the interactive concert was extremely well-received by pupils and staff alike, introducing young children to a wide variety of instruments and musical styles. Around 40 LGS pupils and 5 staff members were involved.
Aims
Started in 2018, this annual event now focusses on two of LGS' most local schools. Aims include providing an opportunity for younger LGS pupils to perform to a less intimidating audience and to interact with primary age pupils, inspiring them to take up learning a musical instrument.
Funding for music within Primary schools is limited, so this mini-tour also provides a much appreciated opportunity for primary pupils to experience a live music event and familiarise themselves with the range of orchestral instruments.
The immediate beneficiaries are the 1000 pupils that were in the audience for the concerts, along with their class teachers, as well as the LGS pupils that performed.
Background
The Director of Music at LGS initiated the partnership in 2018 shortly after taking up the post. This event has been repeated each year (with the exception of Covid lockdown years). Existing relationships exist between LGS and the two schools due to staff children attending these schools and other collaborations between LGS and Kibworth/St Cuthbert's.
Resources
Minibuses are required to transport LGS staff and pupils to the two schools. Five members of the LGS music department plus 40 LGS pupils were involved. The mini-tour took place during a school morning. There was no financial cost to the schools.
Impact
Feedback from both schools was extremely positive and pupils at both schools thoroughly enjoyed the morning.
"We enjoyed a fabulous performance by the Sinfonietta orchestra from Leicester Grammar school. Thank you for playing so brilliantly and with such confidence- truly inspiring!" St Cuthbert's Primary School
"What a wonderful performance! Thank you for visiting us and inspiring our young people." Kibworth Primary School
Pupil Involvement
Independent pupils from LGS pupils were in Years 7-9
Pupils from Kibworth and St Cuthbert's Primary Schools were aged 5-11.
Frequency
This mini-tour is planned to continue at least annually, with the next event taking place in December.
It is proposed that this partnership will continue indefinitely and will hopefully grow in scope.