outreach
The Yehudi Menuhin School has an established history of partnerships with Surrey County Arts and local maintained schools. The school continues to work with many Surrey primary and secondary schools to share resources and expertise, supplementing existing music education provision.
The School is exploring ways in which mutually beneficial partnerships can be set up with local Specialist Performing Arts Colleges. The opening of a 300-seat concert hall at the School in Spring 2006 has transformed the facilities available for outreach and partnership work. Concerts, masterclasses, conferences and workshops are held regularly, as well as residencies by the London Mozart Players and the Schubert Ensemble which connect the School more closely with the music profession. Their players work regularly with the staff and pupils of the school, and with teachers and pupils from local maintained and independent schools.
PROJECTS
'The Right to Music'
Yehudi Menuhin famously said, 'everyone has the right to music'. Taking his words as inspiration, the Yehudi Menuhin School and the London Mozart Players took part exciting new outreach initiative titled 'The Right to Music', bringing classical music to many of the smaller communities of Surrey by means of concerts and workshops.
The project which ran throughout 2007 involved 27 YMS pupils, 4 London Mozart Players instrumentalists, 18 schools, 3 adult day centres, one centre for adults with learning difficulties, 1 community centre, 2 arts venues, 3 churches and a professional composer. The nine public concerts and 27 composing workshops and 17 other informal performances offered opportunities to some 3529 people aged between 4 and 90+! The project was funded by the Arts Council of England, with support from Elmbridge and Mole Valley Councils and the RC Sherriff trust.
CURRENT PROJECTS
‘A Chance to Play’
This programme was initiated in 1998 by Yehudi Menuhin in Stoughton Grange Primary School, Guildford and has continued successfully since his death. Yehudi Menuhin was keen to bring music to deprived areas and the first group that he taught was filmed for the BBC documentary Menuhin’s Children.Two members of staff now work each week in two local schools with groups of twelve children who would otherwise have no opportunity to learn a musical instrument. They are given initial violin lessons and work towards a public performance. Because of a strong link with the London Chamber Orchestra, performances have taken place as part of LCO concerts in St John’s Smith Square.
Music Box
This exciting and innovative programme of music and movement for local children between one and four years takes place every Tuesday morning at the School during term-time. A FREE trial session is available and pupils can join at any time during the term. For further details, telephone: 07970 898658 or 01483 423622 or e mail sarah@yehudimenuhinschool.co.uk
Instrumental Teachers’ Training Days
Annual training days for teachers of piano and stringed instruments at the School are aimed at exploring current issues as well as providing advice, support and inspiration. In the past, these have been attended by some 120 teachers from the South East.
Chamber Music Days
Advanced string or wind players from local schools are regularly invited to spend a day with pupils at the School being coached by members of staff. A recent project involving pupils from the Menuhin School, Surrey Arts and the Schubert Ensemble culminated in a chamber concert in The Menuhin Hall.
Composition Showcase
The School presents a very successful series of composition workshops for Surrey pupils taking GCSE and A Level Music. Participants are guided through the initial stages of composition to the rehearsal and recording of their work, some of which is included in public concerts.
Visits to Primary Schools
Each year a group of younger pupils visit eight Surrey primary schools for a one-hour workshop with the aim of encouraging children to listen to music, to learn about string instruments and try them out. It is hoped to inspire them to take up an instrument themselves. Music is specially arranged to enable the primary school children to join in singing with the pupils of the Menuhin School.
Children with Special Needs
The School has developed a relationship with Pond Meadow Special Needs School in Guildford and with Great Ormond Street Hospital School and visits both regularly. Menuhin School pupils perform a short concert at each school and where it is possible encourage participation.
Schools’ Concert
A Schools’ Concert has been given annually for several years in the Dorking Halls for around 600 children from across Surrey. The varied programme, which includes solo and orchestral items, group singing and a musical quiz, is designed to help children learn and listen to music. The School continues this tradition of the Schools’ Concert with events held in The Menuhin Hall.
Outreach Concerts
Visits to homes for the elderly have been a feature of concert programming for many years, with groups of the School’s pupils giving concerts of up to one hour in length and afterwards talking to the residents. The four annual outreach concerts take place in the Summer term.
Surrey Music Hub
Local specialist schools and colleges with Music and Performing Arts status meet and plan collaborative projects with the School by sharing expertise and resources.
Side by Side Workshops
In April 2008, 30 local secondary pupils join YMS pupils in a series of drumming and singing workshops, exploring non-Western cultures. Over time, it is hoped to include experience of African drumming, Samba, Steel Pans, Kodo and Gamelan.
For more information about our Outreach programme please contact:
Keith Willis, Director of Partnership Projects 01932 584409
keith@yehudimenuhinschool.co.uk
Sarah Collett Partnership Project Administrator 01932 584407
sarah@yehudimenuhinschool.co.uk