Sutton Music Trust (SMT) is committed to ensuring that all students make a form of music that matters to them, and this includes higher study at KS4 and KS5. SMT has regularly partnered with The Philharmonia on a range of projects, and they have joined forces one again to be part of their Philharmonia Composition Project. The project aims to support students as they complete their compositions as part of their studies, and offer a platform for their work to be celebrated.
On 4th February, GCSE and A-Level music students from Sutton Grammar, Wallington County Grammar and Wilson’s (who also hosted) participated in the first phase (Composing Insight) phase of the project. This included a career talk from Teddy Proud, the Philharmonia’s Director of Learning and Engagement about the various pathways into the industry. The students also heard from composer Arthur Keegan, and performances from Philharmonia musicians.
Following the performance, there were break-out sessions to explore instrumental techniques when composing for the musician’s instrument, how the instrument is usually deployed, and other ways it can be used.
The aims of this project include:
- Contributing to the increase of students taking on KS5 or degree-level qualifications.
- Giving participants an insight into the composition process (forming ideas and listening to guidance) to end (hearing their work performed).
I think this would be an invaluable opportunity for our GCSE and A level students. What we have found is that some of the most successful composition exemplars shared by exam boards are compositions that are played live. I think there is something magical about bringing a composition to life that instils a sense of integrity and authenticity to the compositional voice of our students that sequencing or midi just cannot provide.
Sometimes it just takes a different voice from an external provider to say or model similar ideas which can ignite the imagination of our youngsters. Unfortunately, it is equally challenging, and financially burdensome for music departments to source these opportunities individually, which makes the Philharmonia workshop even more enticing.
SMT and the Philharmonia are looking forward to the next steps of the project, where a group of students across the borough will be chosen to work on their compositions with Philharmonia musicians and eventually hear them performed live in front of an audience.
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