“…We so enjoyed having the wonderful Nonesuch Orchestra here – this is an annual highlight in our school diary. The children were absolutely beaming with joy coming out of the Ballroom. Thank you to each and everyone of you and also for incorporating the Chinese Lunar New Year song into the repertoire...” Dagmar Smith, The Merlin School, Putney
We visit five or six London schools a year with a concert-workshop lasting around an hour in which the children, usually KS1 and KS2, are introduced to the string orchestra and to music ranging across all ages. These workshops are all about active listening and participation. The highlight is when pupils perform with us music they have been practising with their teachers.
Hotham Primary School, Putney
In addition to our composition workshops with students of GCSE and A-level Music - which you can learn about on our News page - we also hold introductory concerts at secondary schools to help students develop their appreciation and understanding of music and give some insights into performing and listening actively. A recent example was our first (and well-received) visit to Saracens High School in Barnet.
Saracens High School, Barnet
We always seek feedback from teachers and children to help us improve our workshops. And they are most definitely a partnership effort! We find the most successful sessions are those where the staff have allocated time in advance to prepare the children, by learning songs, practising instrumental parts, and perhaps introducing aspects of music such as pitch, rhythm and story-telling that can be explored further in the workshop.
Contact us
Please contact us if you would like to discuss a concert-workshop for your school.
Recent workshops
St Michael & All Angels’ Church, Chiswick, for local schools
Archbishop Sumner Primary School, Lambeth
West Drayton Academy
St Giles C of E Infant School, Ashtead
St Paul’s C of E Primary School, NW3
Belmont Primary School, Chiswick
Merlin School, Putney
Southmead Primary School, Wandsworth
St Saviour’s Primary School, Maida Vale
Southwark Cathedral School
Saracens High School, Barnet
Comments from music teachers
“Our pupils are inspired by your visits and talk about it for weeks afterwards.”
“The children benefited from a personalised programme that they were really made a part of. Thank you Nonesuch!”
“The conductor’s information and way of addressing the children was brilliant as always and the programme was a delight throughout.”
“It was great to not only listen, but really participate in the music making and gain a bit of an understanding into how classical music is built up.”
“It allows pupils from a range of diverse backgrounds to access quality live music. ”
COmments from primary school children
“I loved the orchestra because we got to take part in it and we got to learn all about the different instruments.”
“The music made me want to dance.”
“I do not play an instrument, but after I saw you I wish I could.”