Bristol SU comes alive to the sound of spring, dinosaurs and Renaissance dance

Phil Dixon with students from last year's orchestra workshopGraham Fowlie

The wind section practising from 2016's Primary Cluster Orchestra DayGraham Fowlie

Press release issued: 19 June 2017

There will be classical music floating through the University of Bristol Student's Union (Bristol SU) tomorrow [Tuesday 20 June] when 160 local primary school students take part in an orchestra workshop.

The Primary Cluster Orchestra Day, a collaboration between the University of Bristol and Bristol Plays Music, will be led by Phil Dixon, a teacher of music and music technology and composer-in-residence from St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School and University of Bristol alumnus (MA 2002).

Mr Dixon, together with 12 University of Bristol trainee (PGCE) music teachers, will be working with the schoolchildren on three pieces - Vivaldi: Spring; Warlock: Capriol Suite - Basse Danse and John Williams: Jurassic Park.

The pieces have been rearranged for the pupils by Claire Alsop, Senior Associate Teacher in the Department of Music and Bristol alumnus (BA 1997).

Dr Marina Gall, Head of PGCE Music at the University of Bristol's Graduate School of Education, said: "Bristol is one of the UK's most musical cities and the workshop enables young people from all backgrounds to be inspired and have fun. The day will be a great opportunity for the children to experience playing within a large orchestral setting, and for our secondary music teacher trainees to develop their skills in working with younger children."

Ben England, Vocal and Instrumental Strategy Manager for Bristol Plays Music and Bristol alumnus, added: "We're thrilled that our collaboration with the University of Bristol for the third year running means we're reaching so many young people and teachers. We want everyone participating to be inspired with a life-long love of playing and listening to music, and schools to place music at the heart of the curriculum."

The orchestra day will finish with a performance for parents and carers.

Further information

The ten Bristol primary schools taking part in the workshop are:

Air Balloon Hill Primary; Ashley Down Schools Federation; Ashton Gate Primary; Brentry Primary; Henleaze Junior; Horfield CEVC Primary; Long Cross E-ACT Academy; SS Peter & Paul Catholic Primary; St Bonaventure's Catholic Primary and St Nicholas of Tolentine Roman Catholic Primary.