Schools

 MWCO wants to help as many young people as possible growing up in Mid Wales have the opportunity to experience and be inspired by high quality live classical music and by participating in creative music projects.

 Every year we devise a different project, and our most recent project, in January – March 2013 was inspired by Poulenc’s The Story of Babar.  Designed for Foundation Phase pupils (aged 5-7) our Babar project was led by Sam Glazer who, with the MWCO musicians, worked with children at four primary schools in north and south Powys, introducing the soundworld of Babar and devising new songs inspired by Poulenc’s musical narrative. The project culminated in four sold-out concerts at Theatr Hafren in Newtown and Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon.  Over 1,500 children attended the concerts which included Poulenc’s The Story of Babar (in David Matthews’ arrangement for chamber ensemble), excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and performances of the newly created songs by Years 1 & 2 pupils from Forden, Llandysilio, Llanfaes and Crickhowell Primary Schools.  The evocative stage designs by Powys-based designers Hilary and Graham Roberts set the mood and there were also plenty of opportunities for audience interaction with introductions to the instruments of the orchestra, rhythm games, and a chance to join in with Babar’s morning exercises and the dancing at Babar and Celeste’s wedding.

Feedback from teachers at
Montgomery, Churchstoke, Crickhowell and Forden Schools

“… brilliant”
“… wonderful … The whole experience was magical. For many a unique trip.”
“The project was better than I expected. I was impressed with the outcome.”
“The project was more than I expected … I would encourage other teachers
to get involved.”
“A fantastic musical experience. I was very impressed with how well organised both the school visit and theatre performance were.”

Feedback from children at Forden, Crickhowell and Llanfaes Schools

“I liked our song because it sounded Brilliant”
“I got to sing in front of everyone!”
“I want to play the different instruments I saw”
“I wish I could do it all over again”
“I want to go to Theatr Hafren again”
“I loved it when the lights went down and the music went fast”

If you would like to find out more about our schools programme or are interested in getting involved please get in touch with Catrin Slater: catrin@mwco.co.uk or 07977 599026.

We are very grateful to the Ashley Family Foundation, Theatr Brycheiniog, Theatr Hafren, the Gibbs Trust and Powys County Council for their generous support of this project.