Take part...

Our education programme is for everyone; schools, families, practitioners - even businesses - can all take part in different ways.  Whether you want to watch a show (Jazz It Up!, Concert for Schools), create a performance (Bandwagon), or learn something new (Science for Schools, Gamelan), you will find further information on these pages.

If you would like to support our activities in any way, please contact education@cheltenhamfestivals.com and we will get back to you.

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Science for Schools
PROGRAMME NOW AVAILABLE

12-15 June 2012

This year’s programme promises to be as exciting and engaging as ever, with a wide range of science activities suitable for key stages 1 – 4.

Click the link below to view or click here to download (6MB)

Booking opens Monday 27 February 2012
Book online here

Jazz it Up!

5-6 May 2012

The annual showcase for school jazz bands in Gloucestershire
Taking place over the main weekend of the Jazz Festival Jazz It Up! celebrates the best of Gloucestershire’s lively school jazz scene, giving school bands a rare and highly-valued opportunity to showcase their talent at this world-renowned Jazz Festival.

For children and adults alike, there’s no better way to kick off your Jazz Festival weekend, so join us for high energy performances and lots of fun.

Click to find out more

Sponsored by

Jazz Summer School scholarships for Jazz It Up! musicians

If your school jazz band is taking part in Jazz It Up! 2012 your musicians could bag themselves an amazing bargain – a half-price scholarship for the first Jazz Summer School at Rendcomb College. This will be an intensive residential long weekend of jazz workshops, tuition, masterclasses and jam sessions, with a focus on ensemble work and participation.

Musicians of grade 4 standard + or equivalent will probably get the most out of it as there will be some chart reading, but the focus will be on group interaction and participation. It's open to all ages, and there will be accommodation in two separate houses for over- and under-21s.

Tutors will include Abram Wilson, Pete Rosser, Alex Steele and Matthew Jones.

When?                      Thu 16 - Sun 19 August 2012
Where?                     Rendcomb College near Cirencester
How much?             Places cost £295, which includes all tuition, food, refreshments and accommodation!
                                   This scheme offers 2 scholarship places at £147.50 each.

Click to apply (from Monday 5 March)

 

Careering Around

19-23 March 2012

STEM careers engagement with a difference

Piloting this year, Careering Around is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers event delivered by Cheltenham Science Festival. This year it will visit schools in Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Bristol and Somerset, allowing Year 9 and 10 pupils to interact with young career scientists to learn about a wide variety of STEM career options. This has been made possible by a generous grant from EDF Energy.  

Unlike a standard careers fair, Careering Around involves interactive sessions based on the speed dating format, making it lively, dynamic and definitely memorable!

If your company would like to take part, click to find out more

If your school would like to take part, click to find out more

Education and principal partner

Young Scientists' day 2012 - Recycle, Reuse, Regenerate

15 June 2012
5 pupils per school plus one teacher

A firmly-established and very popular mainstay of the Science for Schools programme, the Young Scientists’ Day is a wonderful opportunity for year 6 pupils who love science to get stuck into a day of hands-on activities, led by the science team at Cheltenham College Junior School.

This year’s activities will include constructing vehicles from recycled materials and powered with compressed air, melting and remoulding metals, and competing in reconstruction tasks.

Find out more about Young Scientists' Day here

Sponsored by

 

 

 

Girls in Science Day 2012

Friday 15 June 2012

A series of engaging and inspiring hands-on science workshops for KS3 girls attending state secondary schools in Gloucestershire, one of which will be delivered by Dave Porter from the Royal Institution’s Young Scientist Centre. The day takes place in the beautiful buildings at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, and is overseen by their specialist science team.

Find out more about Girls in Science Day 2012  here

Sponsored by

 

 

 

 

Bandwagon

9-12 July 2012

Bringing music to life in schools

The Bandwagon is an energetic ensemble of 6th form musicians from Gloucestershire schools led by inspirational music educators. You can book them for a magical day of music-making in your school, including ‘have a go’ sessions with real instruments on the Bandwagon bus. Each day begins with a musical surprise and ends with an interactive performance for the whole school and parents.

Watch A Day in the Life of the Bandwagon here

Primary schools - more information and how to book a Bandwagon visit here

Musicians - find out how to join the Bandwagon ensemble here

Music teachers - more information about Bandwagon for young musicians here

 

Sponsored by

 

 

Cheltenham Music Festival

This year’s Music Festival offers plenty of scope for school pupils to enjoy music both in school and at the Festival, with opportunities galore to listen, learn and perform.

In School

Let us bring the music to you

• Interactive percussion workshops
  with talented music educators Liz Lane and Sacha Johnson.
  Whether you choose to explore the exciting musical rhythms of Uganda with Liz, or delve deep into the secrets of rhythmic patterns with Sacha, your pupils are guaranteed an absorbing, interactive, and joyful experience.
  Workshops last 75 minutes, cost only £80, take place 2 - 9 July, and are suitable for class-size groups in Key Stages 2 and 3. Book a workshop and get free tickets to the Concert for Schools

• Bandwagon
  bringing music to life in primary schools
  The Bandwagon is an ensemble of talented 6th form musicians from Gloucestershire schools led by a trio of top-flight music educators. From the moment they arrive, your pupils will enjoy a thrilling and absolutely unique musical experience, culminating in a grand performance at the end of the day. More information about Bandwagon

To book, or for more details about in-school opportunities, call 01242 775822/775891or email education@cheltenhamfestivals.com

At The Festival

Come and enjoy the thrill of live music

• Concert for Schools followed by have-a-go sessions
  Listen to great music, stay for a picnic, and try out some instruments
  Friday 13 July, 10.30 - 11.45am, Cheltenham Town Hall
  
  The concert
  With the Bandwagon ensemble taking the lead, this concert will be packed full of musical surprises, audience participation and special guests.
  £2 per pupil, or free when booked in conjunction with a workshop in school
  
  Have-a-go sessions
  Stay on after the concert and have a go on a range of string and brass instruments, as well as our very own Javanese gamelan and maybe even a marimba!

• Free for Schools
  Bring your pupils free of charge to any concert in the main Festival programme.
  Tickets can be booked from 1st May 2012, on a first-come first-served basis, subject to availability.

 

Musical Rhythms of Uganda

Composer Liz Lane will lead this hands-on workshop, bringing to life the musical rhythms she heard and transcribed during a visit to Uganda. The workshop, which will also look into the meanings behind the colours of African flags, will culminate in a mini-performance.

If you would like to do some preparation work with your pupils in advance of the workshop we can send you some ideas from Liz.
Liz’s new work ‘Spirit of Africa’ will be performed alongside David Fanshawe’s ‘African Sanctus’ at the Music Festival on 12 July.

Workshops are suitable for class-size groups in Key Stages 2 and 3.
To book, or for more information, call 01242 775822/775891

 

Rhythmic patterns with Sacha

Making a welcome return, percussionist and music educator extraordinaire Sacha Johnson will take your group on an amazing journey, exploring patterns, cycles and rhythms both simple and complex. Sacha never fails to inspire, and his quiet command keeps entire rooms utterly spellbound. Not to be missed!

Sacha will be appearing in the Concert for Schools on Friday 13 July.

Workshops are suitable for class-size groups in Key Stages 2 and 3.
To book, or for more information, call 01242 775822/775891

 

Gamelan

Come and play traditional Indonesian music on our beautiful bronze gamelan – an ensemble of tuned percussion instruments from Java.

Playing gamelan is really enjoyable because

• it’s instantly accessible - no previous musical experience is necessary
• you work as a team – everyone’s contribution is equally important
• the instruments are easy to play and a piece of music can be learned quickly and easily without written notation
• the music has a clear structure which is easy to understand
• all players are equal - cooperation is more important than being the best/loudest/fastest
• playing induces a sense of well-being and calm – think musical yoga!
• our gamelan teacher is amazing

Playing the instruments also encourages

• numeracy through counting
• physical coordination through striking the instruments and keeping rhythm
• awareness of musical changes through dynamics and tempo
• listening skills through being aware of the other players in your group

Anyone can have a go

Whether you want to book a school workshop, a party or a corporate team-building session, we can organise a workshop to suit. If you fancy learning to play with the Community Players, please come along to a free taster session. The gamelan is available all year round.

To enquire about booking the gamelan, please complete the form below or contact the Education team on 01242 775891.