Woodwind Transition Projects Mixed Woodwind 2012 2015 Saxophone

  • Slides: 10
Download presentation
Woodwind Transition Projects Mixed Woodwind 2012 -2015 Saxophone Project 2017 onwards

Woodwind Transition Projects Mixed Woodwind 2012 -2015 Saxophone Project 2017 onwards

Crabtree School- Harpenden Already had woodwind provision through external provider- we offered group lessons

Crabtree School- Harpenden Already had woodwind provision through external provider- we offered group lessons spanning year 6 and 7. Instruments provided. Groups of 4 saxes, flutes and clarinets. Each term had focused goal- performance or assessment Yr 6 stage culminates in concert at secondary schoolpupils ‘pre-joining’ wind band. Yr 7 expectation that children continue in band.

Successes Strongly linked to the concert at end of year 6. This ensured parents

Successes Strongly linked to the concert at end of year 6. This ensured parents as well as pupils got on board with secondary music opportunities. All of the children that were involved in the concert continued in year 7. 70% children involved in 2012 -14 projects continuing to play (1 st cohort just finished year 11), 50% took GCSE music as an option.

Challenges Getting schools to commit to whole programme (including concerts) Getting enough pupils to

Challenges Getting schools to commit to whole programme (including concerts) Getting enough pupils to make up groups in year 6 Stresses and time restraints of year 6 Funding for instruments

High Beeches Saxophone Project Based on format of Crabtree project, but starting in Yr

High Beeches Saxophone Project Based on format of Crabtree project, but starting in Yr 5 instead of 6 Jsaxes provided for year 5, pupils asked to provide their own instruments in year 6 + Younger children- Dood club. Repertoire- mixture of Nuvo first steps books and Sax Basics, plus improv, composition sessions and aurally learning melodies. Termly concerts become an integral part of project- yr 6’s playing at secondary concert as before but also, secondary children playing at junior school concert.

Jsaxes and Doods Started using Nuvo doods and Jsaxes- more affordable and good transition

Jsaxes and Doods Started using Nuvo doods and Jsaxes- more affordable and good transition instrument.

Successes Children loved the Jsaxes- light, small, sound like a sax. Enabled embouchure development.

Successes Children loved the Jsaxes- light, small, sound like a sax. Enabled embouchure development. Very easy transition onto altos after 1 st year. Most get to grade 1 standard on Jsax, more exam options in year 6. School orchestra Dood club massive success- 70% went onto Jsaxes for a year and then altos- project naturally growing. First cohort, all 8 children passed grade 2 at end of year 6, 100% continuing saxophone lessons in year 7 Expected drop off when parents asked to buy/hire saxophones due to expense, but surprisingly 90% continued.

Challenges Teachers unhappy with groups of children coming out of lessons Working hard with

Challenges Teachers unhappy with groups of children coming out of lessons Working hard with whole school community and staff to show value of project Aware of the ‘Harpenden’ factor when parents asked to buy instruments!

Performance showing progression of project. Dood club- end of term 1 1 year later-

Performance showing progression of project. Dood club- end of term 1 1 year later- on their Jsaxes- these children are now about to start on their altos! Children from Crabtree transition project- now in year 9 playing in the High Beeches concert. There was also a collaboration piece where they worked and played together (unfortunately this was not filmed)!

Moving forward Could this model be implemented elsewhere in the county? Small groups of

Moving forward Could this model be implemented elsewhere in the county? Small groups of 8 - lunchtime and afterschool clubs on cheaper plastic instruments could be an introduction before offering group lessons. Could this be rolled out to other primaries where woodwind numbers are dwindling?