It's a Saturday morning music and arts workshop for all children that runs throughout school term-time. We meet at Casterton Business and Enterprise College and there are different groups for different aged children. The aim is to explore music through projects and by using a wide range of instruments and music-making opportunities. I combine singing, playing, improvising, listening and composing to help the children discover music creatively, rather than being just 're-creative'.
Each term we have a different theme. Last year included 'It's a technological world' and 'Carnival'. This term it's all about 'Vikings'.
I also offer the children more conventional music opportunities and they are introduced to the guitar, wind instruments and the keyboard. These taster sessions often lead to regular lessons. I run Music Explorer workshops in schools too, linking in with their current topic. Music is a great way to join different areas of the curriculum.
No (laughing). I have a brilliant team that helps me plan and run all the workshops.
Also at the beginning of each term I invite a professional musician, artist or organisation to lead a session. Recently we've had a steel band session, a wonderful storyteller and a samba session. Next term we have an African drumming workshop. We've even had a mobile planetarium.
I am a trained music teacher and spent 16 years in secondary schools. Then I had my children and wanted something that fitted better with family life. Mini Music Makers was the beginning and I still run these sessions at Stamford Arts Centre. Parents or carers bring along their babies and toddlers and we sing rhymes and finger action songs, dance, listen to a variety of music and of course play instruments, usually percussion. My first set of parents wanted something that the children could move on to once they reached school age, so I started Music Explorers.
Oh yes. I am constantly amazed at the musical feats young children accomplish. Some of the babies in my first Mini Music Makers sessions come to Music Explorers and Bandstand and are very competent musicians, able to play different instruments, compose and improvise. I'm convinced that musical play for young children develops concentration, motor skills and self-awareness. There have been studies showing that musical training can help children's maths and language abilities.
This is a relatively new venture and it's a big hit. I wanted to give young players, aged from 8 to 14, an opportunity to play a whole range of different types of music that appeals to young people, as well as the chance to improvise with others and compose their own pieces. It's all about playing together, enjoying making music and having fun. As I hoped, it's turning in to a regular holiday event and maybe one day it'll develop into a concert band.
Yes. A while ago a group of mums, each with their own business aimed at children, got together and formed the Early Years Network. We realised that there was no comprehensive source of information on groups and activities in the Stamford area. So we decided to produce something to fill this gap. It wasn't as easy as we first thought, but we managed to get the first Parents' Guide published five years ago. We've been updating it annually ever since and have added more information, such as party ideas. We now distribute the guide across a much wider area, which is great. It doesn't make any money for us, but the feedback is excellent so it is definitely worthwhile.
For more information on Mini Music Makers, Music Explorers or Bandstand contact Julie on 01778 560305 or jdigby@tiscali.co.uk
You can usually pick up a copy of the Parents' Guide from Stamford Library, the Arts Centre or your GP's surgery.