Music & Me
Music & Me is a series of short and captivating videos, featuring a variety of professional musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds, exploring the ways in which music has enhanced their lives.
Aiming to motivate and inspire, the resource encourages your students to consider and explore the ways in which music can impact us whilst also celebrating the importance of embracing music and the arts in all our lives.
Abigail Thommes
Abi Thommes founded Arts2Educate (which offers fun, educational workshops for Primary children, capturing children’s imagination through drama, art and music) in 2016 after working as a Primary School teacher in London for 4 years. Abi is an accomplished songwriter and musician having been awarded Grade 8 in both flute and piano, Grade 6 in singing and she has also completed her Gold Medal for Speech and Drama.
Abi talks about her own musical journey and the important role music and the arts can play in the current climate here:
Karen Jones
We were delighted to have distinguished flautist and educator Karen Jones lead one of our recent Aspiration through Inspiration workshops. Karen is equally well known as concerto soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, teacher and orchestral player and is in constant demand by composers and conductors alike.
Karen took some time out from the workshop to speak to us about the important role music has played in her own life as well as transformations she has seen in others as a result of experiencing music.
Check out her thought provoking video here:
Ricky Romain
We were joined this term by sitarist and visual artist Ricky Romain who performed across 10 primaries with tabla player Udit Pankhania, as part of our Around the World outreach offer. We invited Ricky to share with us his thoughts on the importance of music, the arts, and some of his own musical journey.
Ruth Rogers
Earlier this year Ruth Rogers (described by Musical Opinion as “one of the most gifted young violinists in Britain”) led our Aspiration through Inspiration workshop – she took a few minutes out to talk to us about the powerful impact music has had both personally and across wider society.
Educated locally, and a former co-leader of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Ruth’s career as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader is exceptional. In 2015 she was appointed as one of the Leaders of the London Mozart Players and her solo engagements have included appearances at major venues throughout the UK and Europe. In partnership with Broadstone Music, we were honoured to host her.
See Ruth’s insightful interview here:
Chris Woods
A Guitar explorer and innovative collaborator. Chris Woods, recording as ‘The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra’, uses every inch of the guitar to create an inspirational sound in a diverse mix of lineups.
From pop-up guitar orchestras comprised of people who have never met, to working with interactive live electronics. From collaborations with Indian classical virtuosos, or jazz, pop and rock musicians to the simplicity of solo acoustic guitar – the sounds he creates are always unique.
Most recently his solo show ‘The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra’ billed as a ‘one man show of epic proportions’ won the best instrumentalist at The Buxton Fringe.
Ric Flo
Growing up in foster care, the creative arts became a therapeutic medium of introspection and self-expression for Ric. Formerly part of hip-hop collective Jungle Brown, Ric now spends his time as an Artist, Motion Graphic Designer, Rap Workshop Facilitator and Foster Care Advocate. His musical and creative journey is incredibly inspiring and with a personal connection to BCP, we thought who better to get talking…
1- How to write a nursery rhyme/rap (KS2)
Looking to explore nursery rhymes or to maybe create a rap with your class? This video will have you and your class creating lyrics for a rap within minutes:
2-Resilience in lockdown (KS3- 4)
Whether in lockdown or not, resilience is a vitally important skill. Share Ric’s tips with your class to help your students potentially overcome any challenges they may be facing with confidence and positivity.
3 – Career in the Creative Arts (KS4+)
Ric will inspire and encourage your students to set goals and achieve their dreams to have a career in the creative arts. Ric’s story together with helpful practical tips will demonstrate that it is always possible to move towards and achieve your goals.
