Education
We are committed to education work, especially in underserved areas. In 2023 and 2024, in partnership with Bolton Music Service and primary schools in Bolton and Tameside, we completed a series of five schools workshops. These were loosely based on the popular TV programme, Strictly Come Dancing. As the photographs below show, the workshops were seriously interactive!
In 2025, we are expanding our offering to include ‘Mental Health’ themed workshops.
Members of the ensemble performed dance music from all over the world and four young ‘judges’ marked each dance. The one with the highest mark was the winner. The children – about 600 in all – increased their knowledge and appreciation of dance music, its cultural and geographical origins and the instruments used to perform it. As the photographs show, the workshops were seriously interactive!
Our work in Bolton also included two public concerts and a series of taster sessions for aspiring young string players, delivered by tutors from Bolton Music Service and students from the Royal Northern College of Music.
Some feedback from the teachers:
'Wow! What an incredible afternoon! It was an absolute treat, even for the adults to enjoy! It was lovely how it linked to Geography with a very engaging set up linked to 'Strictly' with the Judges!'
'Great interactive elements for the children to join in. It is so important for children who might never normally get a chance to listen to real live music and see such talented and approachable musicians!'
'Loved the part where a child could play with the musicians in the Polka and Jig'
'Children loved the judging format! Suitable for all ages, Year 6 were buzzing afterwards'
'What an amazing concept to engage the children with music, geography and culture. An amazing workshop – great pace and the children loved it!'
