Education ViVA

Journeys
16th October 2007
Lincoln Drill Hall

Journeys was developed in partnership between the Lincoln Drill Hall, Orchestras Live, Lincolnshire County Council, soundLINCS and sinfonia ViVA.

"I never dreamed I would be at the front as well – showing the children what to do during the performance… thank you." - Tina Boast, St Faith and St Martin School

sinfonia ViVA has been developing a relationship with the Drill Hall for several years and Journeys marked the start of the next stage of the partnership. The venue was keen to establish a relationship with two local schools, and St Faith and St Martin C of E Junior School and Monks Abbey Primary School were approached to participate in the project.

"We have had extremely positive feedback from the parents – one in particular sent in a card thanking us for giving their child the opportunity to take part in such a fantastic experience. Sometimes we find it really difficult getting parents involved, but we have seen that some have taken pride in their children for performing." - Jane Hudson, Monks Abbey School

The project was designed in consultation with all the partners. Following this, soundLINCS was approached to work with sinfonia ViVA to deliver the project. soundLINCS musicians worked with the ViVA team during the project and continued to visit both schools in the six months following the initial project.

"I cannot praise the project enough! Excellent! I learned a huge amount." - soundLINCS musician

James Redwood led the project team in workshop sessions in the schools. During the sessions James worked closely with sinfonia ViVA musicians Helen Bishop and Anthony Thompson and soundLINCS musicians Geoff Gammon and Jill O’Sullivan and the young people at the schools to create original songs and instrumental pieces themed around Journeys.

"I think this was a really challenging project, so they really stretched themselves musically and creatively. They also grew in confidence and self control. It was great to see them developing a relationship with the musicians." - James Redwood, workshop leader

The project began with a teachers’ session during which the teachers worked with the team to develop the outline of a Journeys themed story, involving a monster stomping in the sea, which the concert repertoire and new pieces created by the young people would fit within.

"[My favourite part was] rehearsals for the performance because we got to know the group leaders better eg: Jill, Geoff, Marianne, James, Ant, Helen and Miss Boast. Also the actual performance. I enjoyed every part of it." - Participant

Following this session, the teachers and students created words around an element of the story. The musicians took these words as the starting point for the new song in each school during the workshop sessions. The students also created instrumental pieces using percussion and instruments they were already learning and learned the song The Runaway Train so that they could perform it as a full ensemble with the Orchestra.

"I learned how to compose music and how to edit it. I found that you can always find a way to improve music." - Participant

The young people came together for the first time for a joint rehearsal at the Drill Hall on Monday 15 October. During this session the children rehearsed all their different sections together. The participants were joined by the Orchestra for the first time during the afternoon of Tuesday 16 October for their final rehearsal.

"I think the whole project was fantastic. The activities the children did – they were truly inspired by them and really enjoyed them all. James as group leader – the children thought he was fantastic and he held their concentration and inspired them and their creativity while making it fun." - Tina Boast, St Faith and St Martin School

The project culminated in an evening performance at the Drill Hall to friends, family and the general public on Tuesday 16 October 2007. The performance was a real success and the students took a lot from performing alongside sinfonia ViVA.

"I loved it and so did the children. They all said how lucky they felt to have been chosen to take part. The team we worked with were excellent and really helped and inspired the children. Can we do it again some time?!" - Tina Boast, St Faith and St Martin School

The project was been generously supported by: Orchestras Live, Bergne-Coupland Charity, Wilkinsons, J R Halkes Trust, J W Wright Trust, Kochan Trust, Lincolnshire County Council, soundLINCS, sinfonia ViVA and Lincoln Drill Hall. ViVA receives funding from Arts Council England and Derby City Council.

Images from the project...