Education ViVA

Black is the Colour
Palace Theatre, Newark
9 April 2011

Throughout March and April 2011 a sinfonia ViVA team led by workshop leader Jack Ross with ViVA musicians Isobel Adams (viola) and Adam Mackenzie (bassoon) worked intensively with a group of students from The Grove School as well as pupils from John Hunt and Chuter Ede Primary Schools. A series of three creative music workshop days were held at The Grove School during which the participants worked with the ViVA team to create new music based on and inspired by traditional folk song Black is the Colour.

"I learnt from Jack, Isobel, Adam and Marianne that from simple little samples of music you can create such a big piece." - Participant, The Grove School

A half day creative music workshop was held at both John Hunt and Chuter Ede Primary Schools during which the participants learnt Black is the Colour and created a new accompaniment, including in some cases original elements from the participants.

"I enjoyed playing with people my own age and having fun." - Participant, The Grove School

After the workshops at The Grove School Jack Ross took the new music created by the participants and orchestrated it so it could be performed alongside sinfonia ViVA in a public concert on 9 April 2011. Earlier that week both the primary schools travelled to The Grove School for a joint afternoon of music making. During the afternoon all the groups shared their new arrangements of Black is the Colour and for the participants from The Grove School this gave them the opportunity to preview their newly created piece for the first time to an audience. The whole group sang Black in the Colour together and then in a massed round to finish the afternoon in style.

"The participation of our students with the ViVA team was very enjoyable and gave them a unique insight into the world of professional musicians." - Teacher, The Grove School

On Saturday 9 April 2011 the participants from The Grove School came to the Palace Theatre, Newark for a joint rehearsal with sinfonia ViVA. The massed ensemble rehearsed the new version of Black is the Colour prior to that evening's performance. The participants watched the first half of the concert before they performed on stage alongside sinfonia ViVA during the second half.

"It was even better performing the piece with sinfonia ViVA because it makes you feel like a professional! I was really excited that we were going to be performing with them." - Participant, The Grove School

This project was supported by Orchestras Live, The Palace Theatre Newark, Newark & Sherwood District Council, the Newark and District Music Club and Arts Council England.

Images from the project...