Primary School Workshops
Blues and Roots Ensemble primary school workshops offer young pupils their first experiences of jazz in a fun and creative way - using the music of Charles Mingus to demonstrate the historical and social importance of the music.
All workshops are planned to tie in with the year group's National Curriculum, with crossover links to literacy, maths, science, history and geography. All elements of the National Curriculum for Music are covered within a day's workshop and extension exercises are provided for teachers to continue to explore these themes after the workshops have finished.
Pupils are taught about jazz methods such as swing, feel, blues form and improvisation.
Pupils are encouraged to perform and play alongside the professional musicians from the band using instruments, hand held percussion, body percussion and singing.
There is a focus on the music being shaped by the pupils themselves with the professional musicians/educators acting as musical guides. Pupils are encouraged to use their new knowledge to compose/arrange jazz music of their own and are given the opportunity to perform their music at the end of a workshop day.
“Patient and passionate. Their love for jazz shone through. ”
— KS2 Primary Teacher
Interactive school assemblies are also offered for both KS1 and KS2 with the whole band giving an hour's performance and demonstration of jazz and it's history, including plenty of pupil engagement through teaching songs and rhythmic patterns to clap along to the music. This can be followed by a set of workshops to a designated year group.
“We couldn't stop dancing to your jazz”
— KS2 Pupil
Workshop Prices
Primary Workshop Day:
3 workshop leaders working with up to 60 pupils for a full school day, including an end of day performance.
£725
Full Band Morning Assembly & Workshop
1 hour full school interactive assembly with full 9 piece band and 1 hour workshop for 3 separate classes (3 workshop leaders per class).
£1,225
Full Band Full Day Assembly, Workshop & End of Day Performance
1 hour full school interactive assembly with full 9 piece band, 2 x 1 hour workshops with 3 separate classes, end of afternoon performance involving all 3 classes and full band.
£1,875
All workshop prices include preparation materials and follow up resources/extension exercises.
“The kids have been talking about it non-stop! They absolutely loved it.”
— KS2 Primary Teacher