Samling Futures
Students at eight state schools across the North East have been finding out about what it takes to be a classical singer.
With a team of our Academy Singers in support, Samling Artists mezzo-soprano Kamilla Dunstan, baritone Dominic Sedgwick and pianist Francesca Lauri led masterclasses and group activities in Sunderland, Newcastle, Hexham, Prudhoe and Ponteland.
The workshops focused on developing a healthy vocal technique, how to bring a story to life in song and singing in foreign languages. Our Academy Singers shared with students how they have been able to develop their performance skills and grow in confidence and the three professionals also shared their individual journeys into music, answered questions and wowed their audiences with a short performance to round off the visits.
Samling Singing Schools
King Edward VI School in Morpeth in Northumberland has joined our growing network of Samling Singing Schools. Samling Artist Miranda Wright has been leading choir sessions and solo masterclasses and working one-on-one with the music staff to share her expertise in teaching classical singing. Pianist Alison Gill supported the sessions, giving the soloists the experience of working with a professional accompanist and enabling teachers to give their full attention to participating fully in the workshops. This first phase of the project ended with a lively open masterclass for friends and family.
‘I’d like to express how wonderful our Samling Schools involvement has been so far. It has felt like an enormous privilege for both students and staff to receive such expert and sensitive classical singing tuition and professional development. The sensitive handling of the very different soloists made them feel safe and comfortable, while also being helpful to the students and the opportunity for everyone to perform with a professional piano accompanist was another privilege.
Above all, it was an incredible opportunity for a large group of teenagers to perform some classical repertoire and hear their peers doing the same. All the soloists have absolutely loved being part of the project.’
Heather Harrison, music teacher and choir leader, King Edward VI School
Main image: the choir of King Edward VI School during Samling Singing Schools workshop. All photos (c) Mark Pinder
