Creative Residencies - November 2024

In November 2024, Saffron Hall delivered two major projects in our partner schools. On site at Saffron Walden County High School, thirty Year Nine students had the amazing opportunity to spend three days working with So! Percussion and Caroline Shaw. After a preview performance to a packed hall of Year Eight students, the students joined So! Percussion and Caroline onstage during their Saffron Hall concert.

Earlier in the month at Alec Hunter Academy in Braintree (part of the Saffron Academy Trust), a group of Year Nine students worked with percussion maestro Afla Sackey and his band Afrik Bawuntu. Over three days, thirty students, most of whom had not played in an ensemble before, created two new pieces of music, as well as new parts for some of the band’s existing music. The project climaxed with a spectacular performance to friends and family in the school hall.

Projects such as these provide new challenges and command dedication and commitment from the students. Watch the video below to hear more from the students themselves.

'On day one, I thought it would be impossible to do this, but now I’m in a band and I’ve performed at a concert in front of a crowd. I can’t believe it!'

Projects like this could not happen without our generous supporters, and we are particularly grateful to the Padfield family, the Charles Dunston Charitable Trust, and the British Schools Charity for supporting this work.