Teacher’s Page

WORKSHOP OUTLINE

The workshop is suitable for up to 30 children at each session and is an hour long.

The workshop will begin with a demonstration of some of the instruments and an introduction to the historical period and its music. Ricardo will then demonstrate some virtuoso solo dances from the Courts of France. The children will be encouraged to ask questions and to enter into discussions about topics covered.

There will then follow an engaging and informative demonstration of authentic period costume as worn by the workshop facilitators.There will be some discussion of how the different social classes dressed, how the clothes were made and dyed and where clothing would have come from.

Next there will be an entertaining demonstration of how the instruments work, how sound is produced and a discussion of how the instruments would have been made and from which materials. We will discuss the evolution of instruments and show how early instruments were the predecessors of the modern instruments we are familiar with today. The children will be invited to come and have a go on some of the instruments which will include the bagpipes, hurdy gurdy and pipe and tabor. We will encourage a discussion about the function of music in Tudor society, who would have played it, when it would have been played and how music making would have differed between the social classes.The children will then have fun dressing up in an array of historical hats and clothes and will have the opportunity to learn to sing a Tudor song and join in with dances from the streets and courts of 16th century France and England.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the Children’s Tudor Workshop are to demonstrate in an interactive and engaging way that history is fun and interesting. We aim to inspire children to appreciate music and to demystify the playing of musical instruments. We seek to encourage children to feel confident to ask questions and to enter into dynamic discussions and to take part in demonstrations of costumes, dancing and the hands on experience of the instruments.

We use the music and instruments as a way to illustrate and to include a lot of historical details. Children get a vivid sense of history from hearing the sounds of the day. They are put in touch with the technology of the time by learning how the instruments work and how they would have been made. Music of a period strongly evokes the time in a way that inspires children and encourages them to retain information and develop a passion for the subject.

Katy Marchant, Steve Tyler  and Ricardo Barros have over 10 years of experience both as professional musicians and workshop leaders. Katy Marchant directs and performs with international music and dance theatre company Daughters of Elvin. Steve Tyler regularly performs and tours with Daughters of Elvin and the medieval music duo Misericordia. Ricardo Barros directs and performs with Baroque music and dance ensemble Mercurius Company and trio Spirituoso. He is also in great demand as a lecturer in early dance both in Britain and abroad.

Lisa Rowe
Teacher, Widecombe School, Devon
lisa145@btinternet.com 
01647 432257

Mark Goodright
Teacher, Harrowbarrow School, Cornwall
markgoodright@hotmail.co.uk