Click here to go back to the list >>

Monday 21st April
Music

London Mozart Players Visit Oswestry School

Pupils in Years 5 – 9 were enthralled on Monday, when Margaret Archibald (clarinet) and Christopher Newport (horn) from the London Mozart Players visited Oswestry School.

Drawing on composers from Mozart to Mahler by way of Mel (“Cruella De Vil”) Leven, and even playing Handel on a hosepipe, Margaret and Christopher captivated their young audience as they demonstrated different musical styles and explained some of the history and development of their instruments.

Christopher described some of the drawbacks and also the delights of being a touring professional musician. Margaret, while emphasising the importance of regular practice, energetically encouraged pupils to enjoy playing an instrument.

Their infectious enthusiasm and seemingly effortless expertise stimulated a flow of questions and audience involvement. Students were given the opportunity to become the orchestral rhythm section, an aerobic chorus and to demonstrate the techniques of conducting, while some of the teachers had a ‘hats on’ involvement in a Mozart Horn Concerto.

“It was an excellent afternoon, educating and enjoyable,” said one of the audience. “It is such a tremendous opportunity for young people to interact with musicians of this quality.”


Some questions to test your memory:
How long would a French Horn be if it was ‘unrolled’?
Which Mahler symphony features an adaptation of ‘Frere Jacques’? In what style is this  played?
How is the sound in a clarinet produced?
Who is the composer of ‘Peter and the Wolf’?