Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has announced a series of initiatives to inspire all ages during summer 2020.
BSO Young Explorers
From Monday 8 June, a three-week series, BSO Young Explorers: Sea, Voyages & Hope, introduces children to making music as they create their own works and rehearse two newly commissioned nautical songs commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s pioneer voyage.
Led by BSO Associate Musician Sam Mason and composer James Redwood, the series is designed to support the Key Stage 2 curriculum but can be enjoyed by all ages. New sessions will be uploaded on the BSO website each week throughout June and the project culminates in a group performance at the end of the Summer term.
Music education resource packs
Music education resource packs for children aged 4-14 will be available from Monday 8 June.
Activities include:
- learning to make your own instrument
- exploring pieces through videos, performances and talks
- curated playlists
- musical cross-curriculum exercises
Children without access to online materials will be able to take part in activities through Southampton Music Hub.
Arts Award Discover
Key Stage 2 pupils based in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) region will have the opportunity to complete the Arts Award Discover qualification through BSO’s partnership with SoundStorm, the lead partner of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Music Education Hub.
Bar by Bar
From Monday 29 June, players of all ages will be able to take part in a massed performance in the BSO’s Bar by Bar project for amateur performers.
BSO Associate Musicians will provide an introduction to the work and guidance before players upload selected bars of music from home. The project is suitable for a variety of standards from beginner to advanced, with parts for instruments reading treble or bass clefs.
BSO community groups
The BSO’s community groups will continue across the region with support from BSO Associate Musicians:
- The Recovery Orchestra, in partnership with Bristol Drugs Project, offers a safe space for musicians in and around Bristol
- Contemporary music group Fresk! (meaning ‘fresh’ in Cornish) supports amateur players with a creative outlet during lockdown
- The Aubergine Family Orchestra meets fortnightly for players of all ages in the Exeter region
- BSO Voices, the orchestra’s Southampton-based community choir, meets virtually and recently shared its performance of Over the Rainbow for key workers throughout the region
Dougie Scarfe, Chief Executive of the BSO, said:
‘Music offers a compass when we’re feeling lost at sea and we hope that these resources and performance opportunities will help guide all ages towards calm during this turbulent time.
‘Our schools’ concerts are a popular fixture in the Summer term for pupils throughout the South-West and whilst we’re sad not to be performing live, we’re thrilled to be able to bring some of that magic to pupils learning from home.’
Header photo: BSO Associate Musician Sam Mason helps kids discover music
