One of Bournemouth’s most beloved organisations, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, has arranged a series of initiatives they hope will inspire people of all ages across the region during the summer months.
Whether you dream of becoming a composer, fancy a sing-along or fancy dusting off that long-ignored violin, there’s something for everyone in the BSO’s summer activities.
For children
- BSO Young Explorers: Sea, Voyages & Hope Workshops: Starting on Monday 8 June 2020, this is a free 3-week series that will introduce children to the process of making music. They’ll take part in warm-up exercises, rehearse nautical songs commissioned to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s first voyage taking pilgrims to the ‘new world’, compose their own works and finish the summer term with an exciting group performance. Designed to support the Key Stage 2 curriculum but open to all ages, the workshops will be led by BSO Associate Musician Sam Mason and composer James Redwood. Join now from the BSO website, with new sessions to be uploaded throughout June.
- Music Education Resource Packs: For children aged 4-14, these resources, available from Monday 8 June 2020, will offer a series of activities that will see them making their own instruments, exploring music through video performances and talks, and more. The activities will help nurture their love of music while also relieving some of the educational burden on parents and teachers alike. Children without access to the online material can take part through the Southampton Music Hub.
- Arts Award Discover qualification: Offered through the BSO’s partnership with SoundStorm, the lead partner of the BCP Music Education Hub, this gives Key Stage 2 students the chance to earn a coveted qualification during lockdown. Details will be provided to schools in the BCP area directly.
For all ages
- Bar by Bar project for amateur performers: From Monday 29 June the BSO is offering instrument players of all ages the chance to participate in a mass performance. The BSO Associate Musicians will provide an introduction to the work, as well as guidance to those taking part before they upload selected bars of music at home. Suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced musicians, there are parts for instruments reading treble or bass clefs.
- Community groups across the south: The BSO has a history of supporting communities through music and now BSO Associate Musicians are providing workshops, rehearsals and performances online. The Recovery Orchestra, in partnership with Bristol Drugs Project, works to provide safe spaces for musicians in and around Bristol. Fresk! (it’s Cornish for ‘fresh’), is a contemporary music group that supports amateur musicians with a creative outlet while in lockdown. The Aubergine Family Orchestra is based in Exeter and invites players of all ages to join their fortnightly meetings. Finally, BSO Voices, the BSO’s own community choir, is based in Southampton and meets virtually. Recently they performed the magical ‘Over the Rainbow’ to honour key workers throughout the region.
Dougie Scarfe, the 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.”
For more information about the BSO and the events listed, visit their website.