SCO celebrates a year as resident orchestra for Edinburgh primary school
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is soon to complete its first year as resident orchestra for Preston Street Primary School. The Orchestra has been working in the school for an academic year, providing an opportunity for the two organisations – which work within the same community – to explore the creative opportunities of working and making music together. The SCO has interacted with approximately 250 pupils in the course of the academic year.
The Orchestra and primary school have built a solid relationship through various events: pupils visited an SCO rehearsal with SCO Principal Conductor Robin Ticciati, Preston Street staff attended a concert and SCO musicians performed at the school and in class workshops.
The school has a culturally diverse profile and pupils from across the world. Appropriately, the main project, headed by composer Greg Sinclair, encouraged pupils to explore significant journeys they and their families have taken through stories, music, art, drama and dance.
Greg Sinclair said: “We’ve tried to ensure every pupil and staff member has been included in the project; their ideas, music and stories. It’s been really inspiring and enlightening to hear the personal journey stories from the pupils and that has, in turn, inspired my creativity towards the development of the project.”
A celebration performance of The Stories of Preston Street is taking place in the school on 18 June 2012. The culmination of the year’s activities, the performance will showcase the work created by pupils with live music from SCO musicians.
The project was funded by The John Watson’s Trust, The Austin & Hope Pilkington Trust and The Robertson Trust.
Photo © Chris Christodoulou
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