Close to 200 young children from prep and primary schools assembled at Oundle School to enjoy a day of musical experiences and specialist teaching.
Workshop leaders included David Milsted (Head of Woodwind and Percussion), Adele Hudson (Head of Brass and Guitar) and Angus Gibbon (Head of Strings and Alexander Technique) along with supporting music teachers from Oundle School’s Music Department.
Director of Music, Quentin Thomas commented, “With large numbers of musicians comes greater opportunity, and it was a joy to hear youngsters tackle larger ensemble playing, developing their sight-reading, new approaches and ways of thinking about technique, as well as enjoying the camaraderie of making new friends amongst larger social groups. This year we added a taste of Alexander Technique for some of the participants and their accompanying teachers – something we are passionate about and keen to share because a good posture can fuel a lifetime of good health whilst lying central to developing excellence in practical technique.”
As the brass worked in the Great Hall complex, the strings filled the Chapel and the woodwind group rehearsed in the recently refurbished Gascoigne Building, home to the Oundle Music department. Four concerts held during the day encompassed great diversity, with every visiting pupil able to perform something that had been prepared 
during the course of the day.
Highlights included renditions from massed strings, with seventy of Oundle’s pupils supporting visiting string players, demonstrations on woodwind instruments (including the popular bagpipes), performances from staff, Oundle School smaller ensembles, and a play-through of much-loved numbers (such as Jurassic Park) with strings and woodwind combined.
Pupils came from the following schools: Beachborough, Beeston Hall, Bilton Grange, Copthill, Kettering School, Kingscliffe Primary, Laxton Junior School, Monks Risborough, Oundle Primary School, St Faiths, St Hilda’s, Spratton Hall, Stoneygate, Warmington Primary and York House.
Feedback from participating schools:
All the children from our school had a wonderful day. Because we come from such a distance, before the day I wa
sn’t sure how viable it would be to come again. However, I can honestly say it is one of the best music days of the kind I have taken pupils to. They loved being introduced to all the instruments in the woodwind family and being able to try them out made most of my children’s day! They were all buzzing when we came home. From my perspective I also loved the ensembles performing to the pupils at lunchtime as I think, coming from a prep school this is such a lovely opportunity for them see what they might be involved in in the future.
Miss Lizzie Hull, Director of Music, York House
The children who participated all had a wonderful day; thank you for extending the invitation to our school.
Warmington School