Education

The educational and outreach part of the London Song Festival takes the form of master classes and workshops in schools. Master classes have been given by Ian Partridge CBE (2014), Roger Vignoles (2013), Sarah Walker CBE (2013), Simon Keenlyside (2012), Dame Ann Murray (2011)  and Louise Winter (2010), who have worked on the Song repertoire with students and young professional singers. These masterclasses are open to all singers under the age of 30.
 
The London Song Festival's Education project, launched in 2015, presents a programme of workshops in schools across London. This is often the childrens' first opportunity to hear a live classical singer and pianist, as well as their first exposure to the great master-works of the Song repertoire, a genre which, with its unintimidating and approachable format of singer and pianist, is a fantastic way of opening children's minds to classical music. In our workshops we explore how Song tells stories and paints pictures in words and music, and how a singer and a pianist can evoke so many emotions through what the composer and poet have given us. Interaction with the children is central to our workshops, which are tailored for all ages from primary right through to A-level. It is wonderful to see how a foreign language is no barrier to children's appreciation and enjoyment of Song. I will always remember how a particularly rowdy group of over thirty 10 and 11 year-old children in Princess May Primary in Hackney, none of whom had any previous experience of classical music, and none of whom spoke French, listened in absolute silence and with rapt attention to a performance of Faure's Clair de Lune. Staff members told us later that the children's concentration levels for the rest of that day were noticeably higher than normal. Given the correct approach, even the most esoteric and subtlest music can speak very powerfully and directly to children and teenagers!

This awareness of music is so important for children and young people. Exposure to the Arts is decreasing in so many schools, and these workshops will play a vital and necessary part in children’s development, not only in music, but in all other areas of their education and growth too. To quote from the website of Stamford Hill Primary School (one of the schools we've visited), the Arts enable children to:
 
"actively develop a deeper understanding of both the arts and curriculum subjects. [we] believe that that learning through the arts greatly enhances the children’s experience of School, enabling learners to develop many areas of their education such as: creative thinking and problem solving, knowledge and understanding, speaking and listening, language skills and vocabulary, confidence and teamwork, powers of self-expression, as well as performing arts skills”.

These words sum up the London Song Festival's philosophy perfectly. Stamford Hill is a rare instance of a school which actively encourages the Arts, but there are many in London that sadly do not, either through lack of resources or lack of interest from the staff. The London Song Festival workshops prove that classical music is a truly inspiring and enjoyable experience for children from all backgrounds, cultures and religions.

Any school wishing to book a workshop should contact the London Song Festival on info@londonsongfestival.org .


Nigel is also Musical Director of Opera and More. This is a year-long part-time course aimed at talented singers of Undergraduate and Post-Graduate level. A maximum of 12 participants, selected by audition, work on style and interpretation, audition preparation, presentation and communication techniques, stagecraft and acting skills, programming and preparing a recital, diction, text work and improvisation with an exciting team of conductors, directors and pianists. The course will cover every area of vocal repertoire including opera, art-song, concert repertoire and oratorio.  Full details on operaandmore.org