Bandwagon 2011

Passion, inspiration, enjoyment...here's what we were looking forward to at the HSBC Cheltenham Music Festival 2011...

Calling all music teachers.

Cheltenham Music Festival needs your help! We are looking for talented young musicians to take part in Bandwagon 2011. If you know a musician in Y12 or 13 who plays an instrument to grade 8 standard and would relish the opportunity to take part in a uniquely creative project, please consider them for the Bandwagon.

What is the Bandwagon?

The Bandwagon is a bus carrying a “pop-up” ensemble of young, talented musicians from Gloucestershire schools led by conductor William Carslake, guitarist Sid Peacock and percussionist Sacha Johnson.

The Bandwagon is an innovative approach to providing young children with a vibrant, exciting experience of classical music, by bringing it to them. We want young children to hear and see music, and to sweep away the stuffy atmosphere of the concert hall, enabling them to experience at first hand the passion, inspiration and enjoyment that live music can bring.

The Bandwagon provides a unique opportunity, particularly for those planning to continue their study of music beyond school, to participate in a challenging, creative and highly rewarding performance project. A Bandwagon musician must be prepared to play anywhere; standing up, sitting down, outside or inside, playgrounds, classrooms, school halls… They should also be prepared for lots of questions from an inquisitive young audience…

When is the Bandwagon?

Participating in the project will involve 5 days out of school — the first day playing in a Music Festival concert for primary schools alongside James Rhodes and the Festival Academy, and the rest playing a series of fun, spontaneous flashmob-style concerts at primary schools in Gloucestershire.

We hope that teachers will see the Bandwagon as an invaluable opportunity for their students.

Key dates

Who can join the Bandwagon?

Students must be able to play their instruments to grade 8 standard. All instruments will be considered and previous applicants are very welcome to reapply.

Our Bandwagoners will be Y12/13 Music A level students. This project will appeal to musicians who want to develop new skills, meet new people, and experience new things. The Bandwagon is as much about personal development as musicianship.

If you have a student(s) who you think would enjoy taking part in the Bandwagon project please encourage them to fill in the online application form.

William and Sid will also be at the Gloucestershire Youth Orchestra rehearsal on Thursday 28 April at St. Peter’s High School and William will be leading the rehearsal. This will be a great opportunity for potential Bandwagoners to find out more about the Bandwagon and register interest.

If any of your students sign up, we will be in touch with you to verify that they have your support.

"Stagecoach West are pleased to be working with Cheltenham Festivals on this year's Bandwagon programme. It is a great opportunity to get young people enthused about music and public transport and I have no doubt that this programme will help achieve both. Bandwagon is a fantastic concept and we are delighted to help bring it to life." —Ian Manning, Managing Director Stagecoach West

Read more about Bandwagon 2010.

Find out about Music Festival opportunities for Schools

Free for Schools

Cheltenham Music Festival is committed to making music accessible to all, and once again we are offering free tickets to accompanied school groups. This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to experience the thrill of live music. Tickets are subject to availability, and booking opens on 18 May 2011. Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.com/freeforschools

Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information:

education@cheltenhamfestivals.com

01242 775891 / 01242 775822

Philippa Claridge, Education Manager

Rose Wood, Education Co-ordinator

Bandwagon

The Coutts Charitable Trust
The Dumbreck Charity
The Macfarlane Walker Trust