Safe in Sound
English Sinfonia is delighted to be involved in a new project ‘Safe in Sound’ in collaboration with the amazing organisation Chiltern Music Therapy. This programme is designed to provide vital support to individuals living with dementia and their carers in Chesham and the surrounding area. The pioneering initiative, led by expert music therapists from Chiltern Music Therapy, in partnership with professional musicians from English Sinfonia, offers a transformative series of group music therapy sessions aimed at enhancing communication, fostering relationships, and ultimately improving the overall quality of life through the universal language of music. Over 12 weeks, participants (including carers) will enjoy music therapy sessions, culminating in a community performance at The Elgiva.
CHILTERN HILLS ACADEMY
Our partnership with Chiltern Hills Academy kicked off with a workshop for pupils on ‘Mars’ from Holt’s ‘The Planets’ on 3rd March. Following the workshop the school’s music department took a group of students to the concert to watch the English Sinfonia perform the music that they had been working on together. Gary Upton, Curriculum Leader for Music, writes:
"The Music Department at Chiltern Hills Academy is delighted to have begun its partnership with The English Sinfonia. Collaborations like this are important to the wellbeing and life skills of our students. The concert and workshop by the orchestra allowed our young people to view music in a real life setting and place everything they have been learning about into context. To be able to then speak with and learn from these fantastic musicians has given them a confidence beyond measure. The Music Department would like to thank and congratulate both our visiting musicians and wonderful students".
Some photos from our visit are below, and you can also go to the school’s YouTube channel to see some footage of the visit here
What the students said:
“I liked how every musician knew what they were doing and how professional they were”
“This performance was fantastic to see.”
“The violin performance was emotional and very moving”
“It was amazing to see how music can move an audience without words”
CENTRE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS
Members of English Sinfonia had a brilliant time visiting the Centre for Young Musicians (CYM) on 26th February. They performed for CYM students followed by leading chamber music masterclasses. Photos courtesy of Kyra Ansine
We are so grateful to the students for their following responses:
“I am really grateful to the English Sinfonia for coming to play for us the gorgeous Rachmaninov Trio Elegiaque. I really hope I will be able to play it myself sometimes in the future. After the concert we were coached first by Julia Graham on Quartet no. 1 by William Mathias, learning a great deal about how to approach rhythmically difficult passages and balance parts as an ensemble. Later in the afternoon Janice Graham gave my trio fantastic advice on how to achieve really expressive sound in Suk's Elegy for piano trio by using the dynamics effectively. I am really looking forward to using what we learnt in the upcoming lessons. Thank you.”
“really enjoyed the session's interactiveness, with Chris taking the time to chat with each player and get a feel of what they wanted to achieve. His advice was constructive, and he was able to better coordinate the trio while still maintaining, and even enhancing, the expressiveness of the piece. Wish it could have been longer!”
“The masterclass with Chris Hopkins was overall a great experience. It was very helpful to get some advice in terms of the balance of the instruments in the piano trio, especially from someone who had just given such an amazing performance of the Rachmaninoff trio!'”