As International Music Day approaches, students at New Hall School have been taking part in some ‘noteworthy’ workshops, including Musical Theatre Composition and combining science with music in learning the ins and outs of a one-octave organ.

On Wednesday 21 September, students in Years 10-12 were treated to a visit from award-winning West End Composer Pippa Cleary. Their Musical Theatre Composition Workshop enabled aspiring composers to gain insights into Pippa’s world of composing, song writing and singing in London and take away valuable tips for their own work.

Pippa is currently being mentored by Claude-Michel Schonberg (writer of Les Miserables) and recent composition work includes, The Great British Bake Off: The Musical and the highly successful The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ playing at the West End Ambassadors Theatre.

New Hall music teacher Jeffery Wilson commented, “Having taught Pippa at Junior Guildhall I was delighted when she agreed to visit us for these inspiring workshops.”

Year 6 & 7 students have been thoroughly absorbed in WOOFYT Workshops this week. The WOOFYT (Wooden one-octave organ for young technologists) allowed students to be hands-on, learning about pumps and valves before working together to perform the well-known tunes Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Happy Birthday. It was a resounding success with a tangible air of excitement, smiles of achievement and repeated remarks of “That’s so cool”.

Director of Music, Mr Jonathan Turner, said: “I’m delighted at the success of both these workshops. Music is a very important part of life at New Hall School and visiting teachers such as Pippa Cleary and Jeremy Sampson from WOOFYT really help to engage students and increase the breadth of their learning.”