Mini maestros make music in mass concert
Seven young pupils from The Queen’s Lower School, Chester, were invited to join a special Suzuki Fiddlefest at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral. The concert formed part of the celebrations for the European Capital of Culture 2008.
The Queen’s girls were part of a 200 strong band of children and young people, from all over the United Kingdom and beyond, who took up their fiddles to perform for a crowded cathedral.
Music teacher, Mrs Jane Panter, introduced Suzuki violin to students in the Lower School three years ago. She said: “This method of learning enables the girls to start enjoying an instrument from a very early age as they don’t have to read music to be able to play.”
Fifteen youngsters at the school have weekly lessons, either individually or as part of a small group. Mrs Panter added: “It was very exciting for our girls to take part in this prestigious event and it shows just how much they have achieved at such a young age.”
The girls who played at the concert were Louisa Cowell from Class 5, Sophie Cowell and Caitlin Lewis from Class 3, Catriona Drew and Isabel Gelder from Class 2 and Katy Harrington and Ella Grady from Class 1.
The concert featured the young people playing solos and ensembles before coming together to perform a stunning 200 strong finale. Funds raised by the concert went to the World Vision charity, which works to support the world’s poorest children.
The Suzuki Method of music education is based on the philosophy and teaching methods developed by Dr Shinichi Suzuki. This system of music education is known as the ‘mother tongue’ approach, and is based on the idea that all children can learn to play music in the same way that all children learn to speak their own language.
The method encourages children to learn from a very young age by listening and copying. Dr Suzuki introduced his method for teaching the violin in his native Japan. Today, there are more than 8,000 Suzuki teachers with over 250,000 students across 40 countries.
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Photo captions:
080618 Suzuki �” (left to right) (back row) Catriona Drew, age 7, Sophie Cowell, age 7, Louisa Cowell, age 10 (front row) Katelyn Harrington age 6, Caitlin Lewis age 8, Isabel Gelder age 7. Missing from photo Ella Grady, age 6.
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Press Contact: Mrs Jane Taylor, The Queen’s School, City Walls Road, Chester, CH1 2NN Tel: 01244 312078 Fax: 01244 321507 Email: jtaylor@queens.cheshire.sch.uk
Notes:
The Queen’s School, Chester, Cheshire is one of the country’s leading independent schools for girls aged 4 – 18. We have a nationally renowned reputation for academic excellence and in the latest Government league tables, published in January 2008, Queen’s A level results again placed us as the top school in Cheshire.
Our school celebrates young women and their potential. We prepare our girls to face their future with self-belief, energy and a ‘can do’ philosophy. Academic success is only one aspect of life at Queen’s and all girls are encouraged to explore their abilities, interests and passions in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. From drama, art and music to sports, community work and overseas adventures, the girls benefit from an education of the whole person, experiencing new challenges inside and outside the classroom.
At The Queen’s School, we seek to develop in each student a risk-taking spirit, leadership abilities, confidence and a love of learning. Our individual approach ensures each girl has the support she needs to thrive and succeed throughout her time here.
The school inhabits elegant Georgian and Victorian buildings, situated in a beautiful setting within walking distance of historic Chester. These surroundings prove a constant reminder of the heritage and traditional values that have shaped the school for more than 130 years.
Mrs Catherine Buckley is the headmistress of The Queen’s School with Mrs Felicity Taylor as head of the Lower School on Liverpool Road. The school has a number of bursaries available to very able students.
Past pupils include Beth Tweddle, Olympic Gymnast, Sarah Kelly, founder of the UK’s Neuromuscular Centre for muscular dystrophy and Vivienne Faull, the first woman to become Dean of an English Cathedral.
More information available from www.queens.cheshire.sch.uk
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