Back in October, Bristol primary school children were offered the opportunity to develop their music and engineering skills with the launch of the Music Tech Lab. After a successful trial, the programme is now being rolled out to 9 further Bristol schools!
“We want to encourage and inspire young people with music so that it supports aspects of their wider learning, like science and technology”
To celebrate the expansion of this innovative educational programme, a special launch event took place with students at the E-ACT Academy in Bristol. As part of the launch, students enjoyed a Beat Lab: Conductive Music session – designing and building their own electronic instruments using fruit and vegetables (see above photo).
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Phil Castang, Head of Bristol Plays Music (pictured left), says: “We want to encourage and inspire young people with music so that it supports aspects of their wider learning, like science and technology. Feedback from teachers and pupils in schools where we held the trial was excellent. The next step is to roll out to nine more schools so that we reach over 720 children by the end of the year.
“Developing music participation in creative ways is part of our wider ambition to help make Bristol the UK capital of young people’s music.”
Sir David McMurtry, Chairman and Chief Executive of global engineering company Renishaw, who are sponsoring the Lab, adds, “The programme is supporting young people to take steps towards a rounded education, where science and arts combine in a creative way. Delivering scientific innovation is one of Renishaw’s core values and we’re delighted to continue the sponsorship of this fantastic opportunity for young people.”
Conductive music in action
Other schools now lucky enough to be a part of the Music Tech Lab include Bedminster Down, Headley Park, St Peter’s C of E, Victoria Park, Greenfield, Cheddar Grove, KnowleDGE Specialist Learning Centre and Parson Street. And as well as using vegetables to create music, they’ll get to experiment with tech like conductive ink and wearable computers to name just a few!
“This course will prove very useful for pupils in gaining an understanding of a wide variety of different careers”
Hilary Dunford, teacher at Illminster E-ACT Academy, one of Beat Lab’s pioneer schools, says: “This is a great opportunity for our pupils to learn new skills at the same time as having fun. This course will prove very useful in gaining an understanding of a wide variety of different careers.”
Bristol Play’s Music Technology Lab is a collaboration between global-engineering firm Renishaw & Colston Hall’s Bristol Music Trust with much backing and support from its music partner Conductive Music – bringing together music technology, engineering, electronics and coding to support the music curriculum, offering 7 to 11 year old children variety in their learning.
Bristol Plays Music is also the winner of the Paritor Award for Creative Music technology at the Music Education Awards 2015.
To stay up to date with the Colston Hall, you can follow them on Twitter @Colston_Hall. You can also follow Renishaw on Twitter @renishawplc.
