MusicQuest is a three-year project that will introduce a new generation to the power of live classical music.
Funded by Classic FM Music Makers and supported by Yamaha Music UK, this year, MusicQuest is taking place between 9th-13th February 2009 at the Palace Theatre & Grand Hall Complex in Kilmarnock, Middlesbrough Town Hall, Victoria Hall in Stoke on Trent, St George’s Hall in Bradford and the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth.
Each of the students involved in MusicQuest will meet musicians from the Philharmonia Orchestra in a ‘hands on’ workshop before attending the MusicQuest Concert at their local concert hall. The workshops gave pupils a chance to try an Yamaha instrument and learn different percussion rhythms with a professional musician – who happens to be the same musician they will see performing on stage later that afternoon!
Each of the teachers involved in the project will attend a teacher training day and receive a copy of the MusicQuest Book for Teachers written by Cathryn Dew. The MusicQuest Book for Teachers contains ideas and tips for teachers to encourage them to use music in their classrooms and also help them to meet Key Stage 2 curriculum targets.
To download the music explored in the MusicQuest Book for Teachers go to MusicQuest Book for Teachers 2008/09 Playlist
Download your copy of the MusicQuest Book for Teachers
(Note: the book is 4.5M to download, so it may take a minute or two, depending on the speed of your internet connection)
Last year over 5,500 children and their teachers took part in MusicQuest between October 2007 and February 2008. MusicQuest visited The Orchard Theatre in Dartford, Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry, the Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Venue Cymru in Llandudno and the Perth Concert Hall.
Thank you for doing the workshop in the morning. I really liked it went you played together and when you let the class have a go at the double bass and to feel it when it was vibrating. Amy, Stanley Primary School
See photos from the 2008 MusicQuest Concerts
Students from Claremont Primary School in Blackpool recorded their MusicQuest online which you can visit - http://claremont.childrenandarts.net/
Download your copy of the MusicQuest “Where to from here?” leaflets for Blackpool, Dartford, Coventry, LLandudno and Perth
“Thank you for a wonderful day last Friday. The children were not enthusiastic before the event, but were definitely enthusiastic during and after. This was by far the best children’s concert I have attended with a class.”
Lynne Carpenter-Jacobs, Cleish Primary School
“I really enjoyed the concert - excellent playing and a wonderfully informal atmosphere that helped to capture and retain the children’s attention and increase their enjoyment of the music”
Brian Bishop, Education Director, Warwick Arts Centre
“This afternoon’s concert was AMAZING. It was great to see all the musicians ‘looking out’ for their school, coming to speak to us all and playing their instruments whilst wandering amongst the children – a great build up! The selection of music and the way Kevin introduced the orchestra kept us all riveted.”
Mary-Rose Roberts - St. John Vianney R.C. Primary School