Schools project

Schools Project

DERBY and DISTRICT ORGANISTS’ ASSOCIATION

Our Educational Programme

‘GO ORGANIC ’

We are now able to offer schools a lively experience for pupils in which they can

Hear and see a pipe organ being played by a professional

Have a go themselves

Find out about how sounds are produced

See how the mechanics work

Enjoy a live musical experience

Understand how the organ is played.

The project involves a visit to a church and is aimed primarily at pupils aged 9 –11 and has been carefully developed in consultation with experienced teachers and Philip King of the Derbyshire Music Service. The pipe organ is a rich source of learning experience for children which is related to the National Curriculum. In particular our project encompasses music, science, technology, art & design and physical co-ordination.

We offer two possible formats and in each case the group size envisaged is up to 25 pupils.

A visit lasting approx 45 mins.

This involves a lively, interactive session for the whole group, with listening activities. -watching the organ being played - seeing pipes of different shapes and sizes – learning about the relationship between sound, size and materials - seeing how the ‘action’ works’ - spotting how different sounds are combined. We use a specially designed ‘mini organ’ built by one of our members Ed Stow.

A more extended visit lasting approx 90 mins

This involves the same initial presentation as above but followed by other activities.

These can include: trying the organ, experimenting with a dummy pedal board, [lower bench provided for short legs !] trying to co-ordinate feet and hands in simple games – designing the layout of pipes in an organ ‘case’ [using ready made small dowel dummy pipes] relating the length of pipe to the pitch of notes,– decorating 2D cut out pipe shapes after looking at pictures of real instruments etc. The session concludes with another chance to hear the ‘King of instruments’ as Mozart famously called it.

Have you visited: www.danmagic.org – an intriguing animated story designed to introduce children to the organ. It has been developed by the University of Bradford in co-operation with the Royal College of Organists and can be used as a prelude or follow up to one of our sessions.

For further information contact the project co-ordinator:

Stephen Johns on 01332 – 764792 email: annestephen.johns@talktalk.net.

24, Oaklands Ave, Littleover, DERBY DE23 2QG

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For upcoming events

DDOA ‘CHILDREN and the ORGAN’

visit to HEAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL

September 2009

This was our third show this year, similar in style to previous visits at Matlock All Saints and Longford but with some important modifications. We keep learning all the time. Our activities for children included; ‘Having a go’ on the organ - ‘Pedal Power’[managing your feet and footwear] – What it looks like [designing pipe decorations and layout’ – How it works [using Ed Stow’s mini organ] and’ What Organists do’ [a brand new Powerpoint presentation devised by James Muckle]. Ed and Gillian Chatto provided the organ solos with great aplomb and Siann Hurt’s firm control of the timetable made sure all ran smoothly.

Schools clearly find this work particularly appropriate for National Curriculum work on SOUND.

Comment from the school : ‘Thank you and your team for a fantastic day. It was most enjoyable and the children had such a wonderful learning experience’

If you know of any other schools that might be interested contact us.

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