Sponsored by
School echoes to sound of music
Budding Beethovens and mini Mozarts are making up one of the region's youngest string ensembles.
Year 1 pupils from East Boldon Infant School have been working with teachers from The Sage Gateshead since last year.
The music staff have been helping to find children with rhythm, musicality, natural talent and drive to be in the school's string ensemble, playing violins and cellos.
The ensemble is made up of children aged just five and six years old, and their instruments are so small they're just one-eighth of the full size.
Maria Butt, deputy headteacher and head of gifted and talented at the school in Front Street, said: "We have a lot of very gifted and talented children and we were looking to develop a new talent in music.
"We got an opportunity to work with The Sage last spring. Music teachers came in and did lots of activities to identify talents which could be nurtured. Those children are now getting regular musical tuition from Sage staff.
"The whole process has been exciting and we are the first school in the borough to have a string ensemble, and possibly the first in the region.
"Five and six is the optimum time to start playing string instruments. It is such an excellent opportunity and the children absolutely love it."
The Year 1 children have been working hard with two Sage music teachers every Wednesday afternoon and have already held on a concert for their parents.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sunderland
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
