We are very proud of our education and outreach programme. These unique events enable us to share the festival and music from around the globe directly into schools. We engage with about 1,500 young people every year who attend our free events.
Education & Community Events Programme
Schools Touring Programme March 2012
Culture Together
An exciting programme is in place for the Festival's annual free workshops and children's concerts which benefit some 1500 local children.
Tue 15th May – Ballet Central
An opportunity to see some of the UK's most talented
young dancers from the performing company of the Central
School of Ballet. Local schools will be invited to watch Act
1 of Ballet Central's Dress rehearsal which will include
pieces from an exciting programme of ballet, contemporary,
jazz and narrative dance with live accompaniment by
Musical Director Philip Feeney.
Thu 17th May – Tibetan Monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery
The sacred world of Tibet is filled with the chanting of
Buddhist texts, the recitation of mantras, the ringing of bells,
the clash of cymbals, the booming of the great long horns
and the beating of drums. Tibetan monks from Tashi Lhunpo
Monastery in India will give a dramatic presentation of their
unique sacred dances, music and prayers, with colourful
traditional costumes and ceremonial masks.
Sat 19th May – Guitar Masterclass with Miloš Karadaglić
An exceptional opportunity for local young Berkshire
Maestros' guitarists to take part in a Masterclass with the
young prize-winning Montenegron master of the guitar
Miloš Karadaglić. Winner of two Gramophone awards
in 2011 including "Young Artist of the Year" and the
"Specialist Classical Chart Award", Miloš Karadaglić
has established himself as one of today's most gifted
young guitarists.
Tue 22nd May – Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers
Mugenkyo are recipients of the Japan Festival Award for
"outstanding achievements in furthering the understanding
of Japanese culture in the United Kingdom" thanks to their
extensive educational work. Their schools concert presents
an energetic and informative introduction to this Japanese
folk art, brought alive with costume and drama.
Mon 14th – Fri 25th May – Young Artists Lunchtime Series at the Corn Exchange
The Festival offers a free ticket scheme for schools for this
series of 6 lunchtime concerts which features outstanding
young musicians on the threshold of their international
careers. This year's excellent line-up includes piano trio,
jazz quartet, string quartet, solo piano, recorder ensemble
and violin and piano duo.
All these performances are free for local schools and education providers. To apply for tickets please contact Jane Pickering, jane@newburyspringfestival.org.uk 01635 528766.
Wed 23rd May – Consortium5
Members of the group Consortium5 will introduce primary
school children to the wonderful world of the recorder. In an
interactive session these award winning recorder players
will display a staggering array of instruments in all shapes
and sizes which have been played from the time of King
Henry VIII up to the present day.
Tue 22nd May - The Galliard Ensemble
Former BBC New Generation Artists, The Galliard Ensemble
has a lively, entertaining and distinctive performance style.
Committed to bringing music to a wider audience, the
Galliard Ensemble has undertaken educational concerts
with Live Music Now! and has enjoyed performing in many
schools, family concerts, workshops and demonstrations.
Sat 12th May Gael Music in partnership with Berkshire Maestros, West Berkshire Council and Newbury Spring Festival are creating an ensemble for young people dedicated to the collection, learning and sharing of traditional music that currently exists in the region. This 12 month project will introduce Year 3 and Year 4 primary school pupils from Hermitage, Thatcham, Brimpton, Beenham, Hungerford and Year 9 pupils from The John O'Gaunt Technical College to folk related instruments such as pennywhistle, fiddle, accordion, mandolin, clasarch harp and uilléann pipes. Today's performance will be a culmination of their year's work.
Gael Music collaborates with young people from rural communities to develop their particular strengths in the arts and culture, giving instrumental tuition, co-producing musical works, leading participatory performances and recording, with young people, interviews with older members of the communities to jointly explore forgotten local traditions.
Corn Exchange, Newbury RG14 5BD
1.00pm (ends approx 2.00pm)
£3 adults, children under 16 free
www.gael.org.uk
The 2012 Education and Community Programme is generously funded by Greenham Common Trust and The Headley Trust with Additional support from Hampshire County Council, Gordon Palmer Trust, Lionel Wigram Charitable Trust and Rivar Ltd.
