Music has been brought to life at Kingsbury Green Academy thanks to a special visit and workshop held by the British Army Band Tidworth, part of the Royal Corp of Army Music.
Year 7 pupils were given the opportunity to listen to and quiz the band, as well as find out about life as a musician in the army and the opportunities that this career path can bring. During their session, they were able to familiarise themselves with the tenor horn, trombone, cornet and the Eb bass (tuba) and budding trombone players were also given the special opportunity to play along with the band trombonist.
Tom Renfree, Head of Music at Kingsbury Green Academy, explained, “Part of the music curriculum is for students to learn about instruments of the orchestra and their sonority. Having the Army Music band visit today was a brilliant way for them to hear what instruments sound like in the flesh and understand the colour, character and quality of the sound they produce, as well as explore the different career paths that they could pursue.”
A special after-school workshop with the band was also held, open to any pupil at the school with an interest in music, particularly those interested in a career in the industry. Guitars, clarinets, violins and trumpets were brought along by pupils, and they were able to explore the sound of their instruments alongside the musicians.
LCpl Matthew Richardson, Cornet Musician in the British Army Band, said, “The pupils have been really engaging and it has been great to expand their knowledge of what it is to be a Musician in the British Army. The opportunities to play your instrument whilst traveling the world are second to none – and the pay, pension and free medical and dental care is also really good!”
Kingsbury Green Academy has a regular programme of events and opportunities across all subjects where professionals share their roles, experience and insight with pupils. Not only does this bring lessons to life for pupils and help them prepare for their futures, but is also part of the reason why Kingsbury Green Academy pupils are already seen as great additions to the workforce.
“Linking our school subjects to the working world enables pupils to see the relevance of what they are learning to their futures,” explained Cath Young, Careers Lead at Kingsbury Green Academy. “We have seen this connection increase pupils’ interest in their subjects and subsequently their aspirations, motivation and academic achievement.”
Kingsbury Green Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust. For more information, visit www.kingsburygreenacademy.com