The Thames Music Makers Musical Extravaganza at Riverside Studios
Educating children about climate and ecology through music
This fabulous partnership between the English Chamber Orchestra’s Close Encounters team, Urbanwise.London, Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Fulham Academy Trust, brought local Primary schools together to become part of a musical exploration of the River Thames. Exploring its ecology and history, the children made and created music from recycled materials. https://drive.google.com/file/d/12dJEqMsr00cbYTEm4LF8dbZkv8dJVy1v/view?usp=sharing
Urbanwise ran preparatory Instrument making workshops with each participating Primary school and instruments were made from recycled materials collected by the children, including egg cartons, straws, cardboard boxes, straws and plastic bottles!
The Music Makers workshops, run by the English Chamber Orchestra, were hosted by Fulham Cross Academy and included a variety of musical activities, such as learning rhythm, and singing the Mudlarks song.
All these activities culminated in the Thames Music Makers Concert. The world-renowned English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) with support from the Barratt Foundation, performed this concert at the wonderful Riverside Studios. All participating Primary schools attended along with 3 budding violinists from Fulham Cross Girls school and the Orchestra took a musical tour through 400 years of the Thames, with key musical works illustrating this journey and, a performance of the Mudlarks song, newly orchestrated by the ECO and performed by the Primary pupils.
Quotes from the teachers:
“I really like the idea that this is about recycling and about creating something out of something that is already there, it’s really key and really important for them.”
“Today I am supporting three of my students, they are going to play the violin with the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO), I am excited for them! It is that proud teacher feeling that I have got right now.”
Quotes from the children:
"I think this project is exciting and it’s even helping our planet.”
“I enjoyed learning some history in the songs and the music.”
“I am excited because it is the first time I will be playing with professional musicians.”
Videos from the day:
Clip of the English Chamber Orchestra:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j1W1TMzBqim8DHtiELb7f3YqcnA8mRL4/view?usp=sharing
