North Hampshire primary school celebrates 'fabulous' World Music Day

IT was a day of noise and fun at Burghclere Primary School last Monday as the school celebrated World Music Day.

Pupils at the school, which has had a brass band for almost fifty years, enjoyed an entire day of music as part of a great ‘Musicathon’ event, with guest visits from several different musical organisations and individuals.

Singing group VoxFresh, music shop Hogan Music and performing arts school Stagecoach all ran workshops, while there were also sessions with a symphony orchestra from Germany and singer Maddison Douch.

The day ended with the school’s brass band playing with Newbury band Watership Brass.

The day also raised more than £800, which will go towards buying three sets of percussion instruments, taster sessions, and to fund a band leader for the next academic year.

Burghclere band committee chair Lucy Morgan said the day had been a “fabulous celebration”.

She said: “It was brilliant – it was a huge success despite the rain. Everybody was so enthusiastic to get involved and volunteer their time.

“It’s been such a shame through the pandemic that the children weren’t able to rehearse together, so we thought we should have this celebration to bring everyone back together and remind the children how important music is.

“Burghclere is renowned for its music and has had a brass band for almost fifty years – at one point every child in the school played a brass instrument.

“While it’s a smaller affair now the children in the band are very proud to continue the tradition.

“We just wanted every single child to experience music in some form. We wanted to inspire children who maybe hadn’t thought to take up an instrument.

“It was a celebration of the school’s heritage and we’re looking forward to keeping the music going for years to come.”

Ms Morgan said music was a vital part of children’s development, helping them to develop key skills.

She continued: “It’s quite important for children to try lots of different instruments because we don’t know what they’ll enjoy.

“There’s a lot of research about how good music is for brain development and how just playing in an ensemble is such a great experience.

“It’s so much fun but we learn so many skills like listening, collaboration and following instructions.

“It’s well documented that playing instruments is a great thing to do to aid development.”

The pupils also performed the song ‘Sing’ – written by Gary Barlow and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, and was performed as part of Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Concert celebrations in 2012.

Ms Morgan added: “It was wonderful to hear them all together – it’s really quite uplifting to be part of.”

There is still time to donate to the school’s cause, which, it said, “will greatly enhance the music provision at Burghclere Primary School and continue the rich music tradition that the school is renowned for.”

To do so, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/burghclere-musicathon