THE MUSIC CLUB AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Luton Music Club has built up a reputation for working with youngsters in schools as a spin-off from its concerts. Since 1994 a number of artists or ensembles each season are invited to give a workshop in a selected school, either primary or high. The Club works closely with the Luton Music Service which is responsible for choosing the host schools. The Music Service also pays for the school events, which may take the form of children’s concert, a hands-on demonstration of instruments, an interactive performing workshop, or simply tuition/masterclasses for talented players of particular instruments. In the latter case only a few music students attend, of course, but for the other events whole classes or even the whole school is present. In this way, the Music Club is helping to bring live musicians in close contact with many of Luton’s youngsters, a good number of which have never witnessed top quality musicians before. Their amazement and excitement is often palpable. The children taking part are invited to come to the evening’s concert along with their parents, the kids coming free and the mums and dads half price.

Here is a selection from the education events that the club is proud to have promoted:

2002

The City Waites gave a children’s concert at St Joseph’s School.

Craig Ogden gave a  guitar concert concert at St Matthew’s Junior School

Richard Sisson led a workshop on Walton’s Façade at Stopsley High School, which was linked to concert performance with Lady Walton & Richard Baker.

John Lenehan supervised a silent film composition project at Putteridge High School, with the winning pieces performed in a public concert.

Gavin Osborn and Richard Sisson led a flute workshop at Stopsley High School, based on a trio by Richard Sisson.

2003

Colin Currie organised the participation of 8 young percussionists in a public performance of a new piece by Richard Sisson.

Chroma led a workshop.

2004

As a Mozart celebration, there was a performance in a public concert of Mozart’s Grand Partita K361.

Sarah Field led a saxophone workshop at Stopsley High School.

2005

Clark Tracey led a workshop with Luton Youth Jazz Orchestra at Stopsley High School.

David Childs led a euphonium and tuba workshop at Stopsley High School.

Richard Sisson and John Hegley ran a song composition project of John Hegley poems at two schools, followed by public concert performances of the pieces.

 O Duo gave a percussion workshop at the Library Theatre which various schools attended.

2006

Tango Siempre gave a children’s concert at St Joseph’s School.

Richard Sisson ran a composition project at Stopsley High School in association with the Purcell School, and the best pieces were performed at a public concert by the Purcell School ensemble.