Saffron Sounds in Harlow/ Epping

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To register your interest in Saffron Sounds, please complete our short online form: https://forms.gle/DRARjsEED6sBTTZX9

Or contact the Saffron Hall team on schools@saffronhall.com or 01799 588 545.

Saffron Sounds includes:

- A free workshop delivered in your school for up to 60 KS2 students (dates now available in May/June 2024)

- Saffron Sounds LIVE!, a free interactive performance from the Jess Gillam Ensemble at Harlow Playhouse on 11 June 2024 for those students who attended the workshop

- A CPD session taking place at Harlow Playhouse in Spring 2024 (dates to be confirmed)

- Saffron Sounds Hub, an online collection of resources, including filmed performances, musical demonstrations and games/ warmups

Saffron Sounds is designed to encourage creativity in the Key Stage Two classroom, to provide inspirational high quality live music experiences, and to support the delivery of the Key Stage Two music curriculum. The programme has been developed by Saffron Hall Trust (the arts and education charity based at Saffron Hall in Saffron Walden), in partnership with Essex Music Education Hub. The workshops and live concert are delivered by artists from the Jess Gillam ensemble.

The workshops and concert content explores and demonstrates key curriculum concepts, including the interrelated dimension of music (pitch, rhythm, texture) and concepts such as ostinato. These are explored creatively through a collaborative composition process, as well as through games, performances and exercises.

The project is supported by a wealth of material, including filmed performances and demonstrations on the Saffron Sounds Online Hub and by a CPD session that supports teachers to use some of the techniques and materials in their own music classroom teaching.

Saffron Sounds takes the theme of space as a starting point. The workshop introduces the idea of the Voyager Golden Record and engages students to create a piece of music that might be sent into space today to tell other civilisations about their lives on earth. A final performance of the resulting piece can be recorded and shared with the school after the workshop.

Saffron Sounds Live! takes the audience on a musical voyage into space, including music from Bowie, Bach, Goldfrapp’s Will Gregory and many others, alongside lots of opportunities to join in and interact.

Saffron Sounds was developed by Saffron Hall Trust and delivered across Uttlesford in 2023, and Saffron Hall Trust are now delighted to be bringing it to Harlow and Epping, with generous support from Essex Music Education Hub and Essex County Council, in partnership with Harlow Playhouse.

Jess Gillam is an outstanding Brit Award winning saxophonist whose first two albums both reached No. 1 in the UK Classical Music Charts. Jess is also a regular presenter of TV programmes, including the BBC Proms and Young Musician of the Year, as well as her award winning Radio 3 show, This Classical Life.

With The Jess Gillam Ensemble she has formed a band that includes strings, piano and percussion and performs music ranging from Bach to Bjork and Bowie, as well as specially commissioned work from some of the leading composers of today. Jess is passionate about music education and the role of music in society and enjoys working and performing alongside young musicians.

'The children loved the fact that their musical ideas could be instantly made to sound exciting with the addition of backing tracks and accompaniment from Sam and Elsa - pupils have commented that they want to write more songs.

The children enjoyed listening to instruments played by professionals. There were lots of different activities which helped to engage the children.'

- Teachers

'I liked that whatever we said you tried to add it to our song and you made us feel more confident about our ideas!' (year 6)

https://www.saffronhall.com/articles/jess-gillam-space-explorer

- Saffron Sounds 2023

Saffron Sounds is offered to schools free of charge, with generous support from Essex Music Hub, Essex County Council and other funders. Participating schools are expected to engage with all elements of the programme, including CPD and to participate in project evaluation.