pupils will

• listen to machines on the factory floor & analyse the sounds they hear.
• devise imaginary machines of their own.
• use voice & percussion to create the sounds of those machines of the imagination.
• mould their sounds to devise a piece of improvised music

Pupils are encouraged to bring their own musical instruments (clarinets,flute etc.) too. Even absolute beginners will be able to play their instruments to create machine sounds.

Time permitting, the workshop will culminate in a short performance of the devised piece.

aims & objectives

• to encourage children to be aware of sounds around them
• to compose a piece of improvised/devised music

Suitable for Key stages 2,3, & 4.
Content will be tailored to suit the age & ability of the participants.

Workshops will be led by Charlie Hearnshaw

Pre-workshop preparations
The workshop is fully self-contained and works well without preparation.

Pupils would nevertheless benefit from some preparatory work. With this in mind,

• listen & learn has some exercises in listening
• machines of the imagination shows a couple of invented machines, similiar perhaps to ones we might create during the workshop.

recording the final performance
Teachers may wish to make a video or sound recording using their mobile phone or other equipment.

As an alternative The Mill will for a small additional fee make a high quality audio recording of the final performance. The recording will be mastered in our studion and forwarded in whatever format the shool would like - CD, .mp3, .wav etc.
We need to be advised in advance if you would like this, so that we can make the recording equipment available.

If The MIll is to make an audio recording, we would ask schools to seek parental permission.

the workshop fulfills many guidlines for key stages 2, 3 & 4

printer-friendly information sheet .pdf with details of fees