On hand to teach, entertain and inspire the pupils were a Balinese Gamelan orchestra, the London Heritage Brass group and Mi Canto Music panpipes and drums.  Alongside this the boys created some ‘junk percussion’ and took part in sessions with plastic trombones brought along by their inventor, Chris Fower, who also taught brass at Claires Court many years ago.

Our gifted and talented pupils spent some of their day writing and performing their own songs to the accompaniment of guitar, double bass and viola. This song was used as the basis for a whole school piece, incorporating improvised jazz sections from the brass band and backing from the other groups. 

Neil Valentine and his band, also supported the event, they specialize in teaching songwriting / composition skills and love to work in an open-ended way with whatever they find. It was a delight to them when Mr Rowan suggested he use whatever composition the gifted and talented pupils created as a basis for an improvised session at the end of the day with all the other musicians, some of whom were very keen, others needed only a little persuasion.

Mr Chris Rowan said:

“What an experience, enjoyed by staff, visiting musicians and pupils alike - one they will remember for many years to come. The result was an exciting adventure in music making, as well as an opportunity for boys to discover and perform music from around the world. It was excellent to hear music from Mark Cox's 'Heritage Band' wafting across the lawn throughout the day.”

Full gallery.