Education and Community
Free Learning and Community Participation
The Festival is committed to music education for children and the community. For many years now school children have been invited to attend performances and join in with a variety of workshops completely free-of-charge, with some events open to people of all ages.
Details of future opportunities will be sent to all schools in advance; however, places are limited and are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Jane Pickering 01635 528766 or email [email protected] for further information.
None of these events could happen without the support of our generous sponsors and funders, to whom we are hugely grateful.
February 2024
National Youth Jazz Orchestra
Mark Armstrong, director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra will bring members of the orchestra for a day of workshops
with local secondary school age pupils. The experienced music education practitioners will lead a full day of workshops combining musicians from three local schools. Musicians from NYJO will be performing during the Festival.
11 May
Masterclass with Ben Goldscheider
Before his performance later that day with the London Mozart Players, Ben Goldscheider will give a public masterclass to local brass students. Participation is open to all local schoolage musicians. Anyone wishing to take part should contact Jane Pickering in the Festival office before the end of March 2024. Find out more.
13 May
Playground Prom with Graffiti Classics
Before their evening performance, Graffiti Classics will host a special Playground Prom at Winchcombe School. Inspired by the world-renowned BBC Promenade Concerts, Playground Proms were originally developed under COVID-19 restrictions and brings an exciting music workshop specially designed for performance outdoors.
14 May
Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers
There will be an afternoon schools’ workshop with the drummers of Mugenkyo in the Corn Exchange. The workshop will be an exciting opportunity to explore the instruments of the group and learn more about the fascinating Taiko Drumming tradition before their full evening performance on the same day.
19 May
Flowers Band
We’re delighted to be able to offer a free “taster” performance from the Flowers Band in the Kennet Centre Shopping. Find out more.
19 May
Ballet Central
Schools, dance classes and ballet companies are invited to attend this free Open Company Class at the Corn Exchange. There’ll be the chance to learn more about the evening performance, and the opportunity to ask the dancers questions about dance and performance.
23 May
An Afternoon of Indian Music
This will be an opportunity for children to meet Jonathan Mayer and Kousic Sen for a special workshop session focusing on Indian Music. There will be chance to learn more about the music, the instruments and the history of traditional Indian music and culture. Jonathan Mayer and Kousic Sen will perform at the Corn Exchange in the evening.
Young Festival Critics Competition
Becoming a Festival Critic is a great way to indulge your love of live music, hone your writing skills and enhance your CV or university application. If you’re under 18, see a performance and then write a short review telling us what you thought of it, you could win a music lesson. More details can be found here.
Young Artists Lunchtime Recital series
All local schools are invited to apply for free tickets to any of the seven Young Artists Lunchtime Recital series concerts at the Corn Exchange. Tickets are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Jane Pickering for further information.
Details of these free opportunities will be sent to all schools in advance; however places are limited and are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Jane Pickering on 01635 528766 or email [email protected] for further information.
None of these events could happen without the support of our generous sponsors and funders, to whom we are hugely grateful.
Education Reports
2019
2018
