Class 3 enjoyed two music workshops last week enhancing our music curriculum. Cumbria Music hub provided a fantastic session using percussion instruments and we also had a wonderful singing workshop with Cumbria Opera Group. The children had an amazing time learning about the pitch and pulse of music.
Children from Key Stage 2 attended the Young Voices event on Monday 5th February along with over 9,000 other children. The children have been practising the songs at an after school club and learning all the dance moves! We set off for Manchester and our journey included some impromptu singing. The children enjoyed a rehearsal in the afternoon, this included learning some extra songs and being led by a conductor. As the excitement grew the adults joined us at the AO Arena. The children were amazing and sang beautifully, loved all the dancing and the other performances especially M C Grammar, Urban Strides and Nandi Bushell. Mrs Haslam and Ms Chapman were exceptionally proud of all the children!
Last week we enjoyed a visit from Joe who works on behalf of Cumbria Opera Group. The whole school from Nursery through to Y6 took part in different interactive singing activities throughout the day. Our newly formed school choir also enjoyed an extra session with Joe in the afternoon; preparing us nicely for September when we will begin weekly practices. Thank you Joe for a wonderful day!
Class 2 have enjoyed developing their mark making skills using the media paint. They have learned about primary and secondary colours by producing a colour wheel and explored other artistic concepts such as shape and line. They have looked at work by the artist Wassily Kandinsky, and like the Russian painter, they have used music as a stimulus for their own artistic creations. Check out their exploration of colour, shape and pattern as well as how different genres of music have influenced the marks they made on the page.
After missing performing for two years, we were delighted to be entertained on Friday morning by our marvellous pianists and violinists. We enjoyed solos, duets as well as small group performances introduced and supported by our first class instrumental teachers Mrs Rainbow and Mrs Hurley.
All year 2 pupils have learned to play the violin this year and the group who have been keen to continue presented a selection of pieces showing many different ways to produce sound on the violin including pizzicato (plucking the string) and arco (bowing). Our year 3 violinists showed their beautiful smooth bowing action that produced a lovely mellow tone.
The pianists all played different tunes, solos and duets that really got our feet tapping and produced smiles all around the appreciative audience. Well done to all performers and those who have supported and encouraged them this year – the fruits of that labour were clear to see thi
The benefits of learning to play a musical instrument are very well researched and understood. So with this in mind, Year 2 have been ‘adding a new string to their bow’ and learning to play the violin with the wonderful Mrs Hurley, kindly supported by a bequest from Guy and Maggie Paton, local residents, in memory of their son Jamie.
As a showcase for their new skills they performed a concert to the rest of Skiddaw class and our VIP guest Mrs Coker. They demonstrated how to hold the violin in rest position, how to position it to play, pluck the strings and use the bow. So much thinking and fine movement is involved; it is a bit like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time! Superb listening, following of instructions and great enjoyment from everyone.
Well done to all Year 2 pupils, and Mrs Matheson who learnt too, saying learning this new skill was a highlight of her week! Each week, Mrs Hurley played great solo tunes to the group on her violin, while they tidied away, and Year 3 and 4 often stopped to listen too – a real treat for the ears! We are looking forward to continuing violin lessons again for those in Year 2 who wish to carry on in September. Please see the letter that has come home for more details.
