In partnership with Preston Park Primary School, the Nonesuch Orchestra broke new ground recently with a morning of workshops linking visual art with music.
You don’t have to walk very far along the corridors at Preston Park to be confronted with amazing wall displays; the art being produced by its students is truly exceptional. Guided by art teacher Helen Kolawole and music teacher Sue Joslin (who just happens to play the violin with the Nonesuch!), the students had composed graphic scores to represent an endangered animal: the elephant. The orchestra discussed and interpreted these scores to produce some wonderfully spontaneous improvisations.
Then paper and pens were laid out and we reversed the process, with the orchestra performing excerpts from Telemann’s delightfully whimsical suite Don Quixote - while the pupils created shapes inspired by hearing the music.
A very different art class
It was a fascinating morning for the pupils and orchestra members alike - highly enjoyable and thought-provoking as we all reflected on the deep connections between the visual and aural arts. We’ve had some lovely messages from the children:
“Thank you for coming to our school. My favourite part of the concert was the double bass because it was deep. I also enjoyed the violin because it was calm.” - Lucas
“My favourite part of the concert was when the violin played snap pizzicato. We would really love for you to visit again.” - Abigail
“My favourite part of the concert was writing the graphic scores.” - Anya