A TUDOR WORKSHOP
A
cross-curricular experience for schools in the
A workshop is bookable Mondays and Fridays, at a cost of 240 Pounds.
Please contact Anita Felton
A cross-curricular experience using a range of sources, including documents, artefacts, pictures and music, to bring to life the colourful times of the Tudors.
During the course of the day the children experience:
Music
- Music of a different time and culture during the demonstration of a comprehensive collection of 16th century instruments. This covers brass (sackbut), wind (recorders, crumhorns, shawms, cornetto), and strings (viol, lute, rebec). As well as learning to identify the sounds of various families of instruments, the children can observe how music in the past was dependent upon and reflected the venue and occasion of the performance and the way of life of people at different levels of society. By the end of the day they will have had opportunities to rehearse songs and instrumental music of the period as well as create street cries; all of which culminates in a dramatic performance.
History
- History from a variety of perspectives reflecting the ideas and attitudes of people in the past and comparing the cultural life of the nobility with life at the lower end of the social scale in town and country. The children will be introduced to aspects of Henry VIII’s magnificent court, Lord Willoughby’s part in the defeat of the Armada, Shakespeare’s use of music and musicians and Elizabeth I’s progresses.
Science and Design Technology
- Science within the context of the instrumental display, during which reference is made to materials, forces, sound, vibrations, pitch and dynamics. The ingenuity and diversity of design of instrument makers of the period is investigated and comparisons are made with present day instruments.
Our costumes and accoutrements may serve as stimuli for further work in design and technology.
English, Drama and Dance
- Ballads of the time and period quotations are used as a basis for drama and role-play activities, (including etiquette of the day and dance from both the court and the street), and for enacting historic events.
A whole year group can easily be accommodated for the instrumental display.
The exact format for the next part of the day will depend on the number of
children taking part and the requirements of individual schools. Typically the
children will be divided into classes or convenient groups for dance/drama
work. When not engaged in one of these activities, they will be working with
school staff who may like to use our worksheets. It is envisaged that all
children will experience each activity in rotation.
During the course of the day, instrumental players will be gathered together
to rehearse music for the dances. We provide parts for most instruments,
catering for players of varying abilities.
At the end of the day the children produce their ‘presentation’, for which
we can provide some simple items of costume. This is a chance for the children
to demonstrate all they have learned during the workshop.
We enjoy a positive response from children and
often receive letters from schools that we visit.
Anita Felton is a member of the early music consort "Courtlye Musick".