Preludes

Great music, great kids, great futures

Preludes is a bold and innovative music project that has been running successfully since 2009 in several schools areas of Bristol experiencing high levels of disadvantage. It is the most extensive project of its type in the country and grew from discussions between Roger Huckle of the Bristol Ensemble, Professor Leslie Bunt of the University of the West of England and James Wetz a former Head Teacher.

The aim is to put classical music at the heart of every child’s education and by doing so improve confidence, co-ordination, speech and language and benefit all other areas of their learning.

Preludes is delivered by a growing team of dedicated professionals. It is managed and led by Penny Rawlings assisted by Charlie Groves and Helen Stanley.

Since September 2015, Bristol Plays Music has been a partner of the Preludes music education programme.

Penny at the Colston Hall Charlie on the keyboard Helen with Aquarium dancers

We began by providing an all-inclusive, structured musical education to the Reception intake of 2009. Each year we start again with the new Reception children, whilst continuing with the children already in school so that gradually the whole school is becoming more involved with music. All the children in the project are given the opportunity to learn to read music and to play an instrument in group and individual sessions. Every child is included in this process. The original children are now performing as an orchestra with violins, cellos, brass, recorders and percussion.

Trumpets playing Trolls, Orcs and Goblins Cellos tango-ing with the Bristol Ensemble Singing with the Cabot Choir December 2013

In 2014 our combined year 3 orchestra performed twice in the Colston Hall with the Bristol Ensemble and world-renowned pianist Freddie Kempf.

Pre-concert entertainment at the Colston Hall with the Bristol Ensemble Pre-concert entertainment in the Colston Hall with the Bristol Ensemble Pre-concert entertainment in the Colston Hall with the Bristol Ensemble

And here are some of the Preludes children rehearsing at St George’s Bristol for the Bristol Junior Schools Christmas Concert on 2 December 2014.

Rehearsing at St George's Rehearsing at St George's Rehearsing at St George's Rehearsing at St George's Bristol Rehearsing at St George's Bristol

The Preludes project performances are helping to boost parental involvement in school life and this has a positive impact on both communities.

As well as giving the children valuable musical skills we are aiming to give them enjoyable and uplifting life experiences in which their families can share.

Some of the children at Merchants Academy were inspired to write their own music after playing rhythms with Penny and Charlie Some of the children at Merchants Academy were inspired to write their own music after playing rhythms with Penny and Charlie Some of the children at Merchants Academy were inspired to write their own music after playing rhythms with Penny and Charlie

We share with them great music, they are great kids and they deserve great futures.

Preludes requires significant funding to run and to ensure we can continue to make it available and to develop it further. We have been successful in gaining the support of a number of Trusts and Foundations as part of our on-going fundraising campaign, which also includes fundraising events and donations from private individuals.

For further information and to hear how you might be able to support Preludes, please contact Jan Swann 0117 963 3418 or email jan.swann@care4free.net

Hello, goodbye! Hello, goodbye! Ebony Tunnicliffe, one of the Preludes children, singing a solo at the Colston Hall Juniors summer concert Kate Watt from the Bristol Ensemble captivated the audience with the sound of the harp  ... and so do children!Even head teachers love to play! Sleepy time to Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony ... and very big! The bassoon is hard to blow... Did you know that Saint-Saëns had sharks in his aquarium? Formation playing

 

Bristol Ensemble, 10 Cossins Road, Bristol, BS6 7LY • info@bristolensemble.com • 07766 105491

Bristol Ensemble gratefully acknowledges financial support from Arts Council England, Bristol City Council, Bristol Plays Music, Coutts Foundation, Department for Energy and Climate Change, D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Lalonde Trust, Andrew Nisbet Charitable Trust, Patsy Wood Trust, PRS for Music Foundation, Quartet Community Foundation, Souter Charitable Trust, and the Steel Charitable Trust.

Arts Council England Bristol City Council Bristol Plays Music  Coutts  Department of Energy & Climate Change  D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust  Garfield Weston Foundation  Patsy Wood Trust PRS for Music Foundation Quartet Community Foundation    Souter Charitable Trust