Schools
KS1: Papageno and the Bird that would be free
This KS1 concert, based on Mozart’s ‘The Magic
Flute’, was our newly created show for the Spring of
2022. We were joined by Kirsty Hopkins (soprano),
Tim Dickinson (Bass baritone) and Adam Courting
Narrator in what became a joyous show enjoyed by
all.
"I wanted to say the training session today was totally inspiring, paced with great practical tips for class music and thoroughly enjoyable! What a privilege and joy for our Camden children to be involved with top musicians like this’ "
Something Special Happens
Due to covid-19, the 2020 Camden New Voices collaboration with Camden Music took place online. We commissioned Raph Clarkson to compose a song for primary voices and the OAE. You can view this beautiful song here which includes 17 young singers from Camden and 11 players from the OAE, to celebrate how wonderful it is for us all to sing together! Sheena Masson from Camden Music created learning tracks for the children and ran zoom rehearsals during the term and then all children and the OAE team recorded their parts at home to make this wonderful video – Something Special indeed! In the 2020 Autumn term we will offer this as a resource to all our partner schools and Hubs across the country with a signed version too so that many others can share the experience.
The Fairy Queen KS1 & KS2
Over 1900 primary pupils from twenty-one schools across London took part in our Fairy Queen project, inspired by Henry Purcell’s opera of the same name. In our schools concerts we looked at friendship, relationship and honesty – pupils not only joined in with singing and playing but took on the role as the conscience for our two soloists, guiding them to make the right choices and most importantly…tell the truth. Written by Hazel Gould, we were once again joined by the lovely soprano Kirsty Hopkins and brilliant basses Timothy Dickinson and Johnny Herford who brought our stories to life.
"My favourite part was the 'come and dance with me' song because I got to play the recorder with the OAE."
String Club
Our String Club is formed of a group of pupils at Blessed Sacrament Primary (Islington) who receive weekly lessons in school on the violin, viola, cello and double bass.
Students from String Club have earned their Copper and Bronze ABRSM Music Medals and some have also completed their Discover Arts Award.
"I joined String Club in year 4. When I first saw the notes I was so confused, now I know more. When I found out I was doing an exam, I was terrified but Jenny told me that trying my best mattered most. I passed my exam and I was so happy and proud of myself and I had string club to thank for helping me pass. I had a lot of fun and will continue playing the cello"
