Pupils and young string instrumentalists from 50 City of Edinburgh Council schools have taken part in the prestigious Benedetti Foundation Residency which took place from May 12 to 15.
The week started with the Benedetti Foundation delivering concert performances at nine primary schools in Edinburgh to approximately 1200 learners across the city, before the city’s young string players, from P5 to P7, came together for a ‘play day’ in collaboration with the City of Edinburgh Council Instrumental Music Service.
The Benedetti Sessions Strings Day workshop was attended by violin, viola, cello and double bass players from P5 to P7 and S1 who took part in engaging sessions followed by a concert performance for parents and carers. The string orchestra was made of a staggering number of over 400 young musicians with 122 young people forming the enormous cello section.
During the sessions, the children and young people worked with a team of 25 Instructors from the City of Edinburgh Council Schools Instrumental Service, tutors from the Benedetti Foundation and a group of ambassadors made up of Conservatoire students. Young musicians had the opportunity to practice and finesse two contrasting pieces of music – Bubble Pop and Enchanted Caroussel.
The Residency session was delivered in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council Schools Instrumental Service who hosted the event, organised the venue and resources and supported in preparing learners in lessons ahead of the residency session. The Benedetti Foundation provided their expert tutor team to lead the day and provided the wonderful musicians to deliver the concerts in our schools.
Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said:
The City of Edinburgh Councils Schools Instrumental Service is a jewel in the crown of our education service with over 5,000 children and young people across Edinburgh benefitting from weekly instrumental lessons. I am proud to be part of a city that invests in making it accessible for all children and young people to learn to play a musical instrument.
It is incredible to hear that over 400 of our young musicians took part in what I’m sure was a fantastic day of music making, collaboration and performance. My thanks to our schools’ instrumental teachers and to the team at the Benedetti Foundation for organising a special day that I’m sure will be a formative memory for those learners who attended.