Setting a right tempo
As every parent and teacher knows, getting children interested in formal music education can be an uphill battle. After all, how can scales and arpeggios compete with computer games, Pokemon and Harry Potter?
Marcel Pusey, of the London-based Bassistry Arts, believes he has found the answer - a series of fun, educational workshops, led by two professional musicians, that use contemporary themes to engage children's attention. Marcel had devised several programmes using traditional rhythms and sounds from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean to teach essential elements of the National Curriculum.
I had the privilege of watching Marcel in action recently, and was instantly impressed by his energy and enthusiasm. The kids loved it too, connecting instantly with him as he took them through a lively and fast-paced session, which involved much clapping of hands and stamping of feet, as well as the opportunity to try out percussion instruments. Every child's attention was fixed, every face lit up with a smile of pure enjoyment.
"It can be quite inspirational for them," commented Marcel, who founded Bassistry Arts ten years ago. "The kids get as much value from talking to us about our experiences as they do from the actual programmes, so we can give them an insight into what It Is to be a professional musician."
Marcel himself has been passionate about music since childhood. His early skills were largely self-taught, but he went on to train at the Western Australia Conservatory of Music before returning to London to work as a session musician. Bassistry Arts evolved from his own band, Bassistry, and he has since taken his workshops to more than 400 schools all over the UK and beyond.
Marcel is committed to the idea of making music exciting and relevant to children. He writes all the songs for the programmes, using familiar themes, and devises language and rhythm games to help children understand aspects of the National Curriculum such as composition, improvisation, structure, time signatures, harmony and melody.
A large chunk of each workshop is spent exploring different instruments. "We bring a drum kit in with us, and an electric guitar, and I also play the piano." Marcel said. "Kids love drum kits, so bringing one in is immediately a focal point for them. We look at each drum, tell the kids their names, and get them to have a go. We also show them how they can use their own instruments, and we use the percussion at the school."
Schools that have already enjoyed the Bassistry Arts experience include Botley Primary School. Oxford, and King Alfred’s School, Wantage. "It was an inspirational day, in which students were given opportunities to plan, perform and evaluate exciting and dramatic pieces," said Simon Spiers, assistant principal at King Alfred’s. "The students thoroughly enjoyed working with the group and are looking forward to next time."
In response to demand, Marcel has now also devised the Street Level workshops, an out-of-school project that runs for three to five days and aims to enhance confidence and communication skills through dance, drama and musical theatre. World music and pop songs are used to illustrate techniques, and children have the opportunity to play their own instruments with a professional band. "The children get a taste of each workshop, even if it’s not their particular skill," explained Marcel. "And we do a production, so they get the idea of putting a show together."
Another recent project for Marcel - again in response to demand - has been the development of his own software, 0-Generator. This unique system helps children to explore and create their own rhythms and sounds, and forms an ideal follow-up to workshops.
The project is just coming to fruition after four years of designing and Marcel is understandably excited about it.
"I’ve just come back from Australia and Hong Kong, giving 0-Generator workshops," he told me. "ICT has opened up a lot of avenues in schools because now they all have computer labs, so it’s a really good resource."
Bassistry Arts’ innovative work was initially sponsored by the Prince’s Youth Business Trust and the company has since performed for Prince Charles and been invited to Highgrove as one of the trust’s Outstanding Businesses. In 1995. the company won the Shell Livewire Award for Most Outstanding Enterprise, and has earned 0fsted approval. But Marcel Is not one to get complacent and he remains ambitious for the future.
"We’re in the middle of a huge growth spurt," he said. "The education side is well established, and I’m determined to keep that going. Now we’re developing the multi-media side.
"My three main interests are composition, education and multi-media, and these will hopefully evolve into a major production company."
Sir Robert Hitcham's Primary School - 14/10/03
Click here to see an article on a Bassistry Workshop which includes reports from the children and videos.
Learn the arts of being Street-wise
Youngsters will be singing, dancing and acting away their way through next week's half-term holiday. The chance comes - courtesy of generous sponsorship - at a fun-filled educational music and theatre workshop. At a cost of only £30 per pupil for four full days, Street Level, a professional group of actors and musicians from London, will set up camp at Southam College on Tuesday.
They will teach children aged eight to 16 the joys of musical theatre, multicultural composition and modern dance. The reduced price tag - the course would normally cost £75 - comes courtesy of Rosie's Music Trust, a fund in memory of music loving Napton youngster Rosie Holland Park who died of Addisons disease, aged just eight, in 1996. It aims to further children's musical and creative education beyond the boundaries of the classroom - a theme running through the half-term course. The week's activities will culminate in a grand finale stage show next Friday afternoon at which the young performers will entertain friends and family.
Workshop co-ordinator Marcel Pusey explained what was on offer. He said: "There will a real chance for young people to express themselves through song, unusual dances and acting workshops. They will also learn the process of putting a show together. It's a chance to flower not always seen within the national curriculum. Best of all, the project offers something to everyone. It could be an introduction to an exciting new field or the chance for experienced singers, musicians and dancers to build skills and confidence and try out new ideas and techniques. We hope teachers will then take our ideas on board."
Marcel Pusey is a multicultural music composer who has toured the UK with an African dance band. His Street Level companions are Nathan Dawe, the musical director of a London performing arts school, Gemma Childs who is a trained dancer with a string of television credits to her name and Phillippe d'Amonville, a freelance drummer and percussionist. The end of week show will feature everyday objects, from spoons to dustbin lids, being used to perform original compositions.
The founder of Rosie's Music Trust, Jayne Holland, said: "It presents the fantastic opportunity for pupils to do something a bit different with their holidays and we are thrilled to be able to help." She said the project is fast running out of places, with 45 children already signed up to the course following Street Level's popular and theatrical recent visits to the area's schools. Remaining places are limited. Anyone interested should hurry.
Make Music with a Beat
Clap your hands,stomp your feet, feel the rhythm and feel the beat. Year five pupils from John Banyan Junior School, Braintree, were encouraged to do just that at a percussion workshop. They were given a hands-on demonstration by percussionist Marcel Pusey on bass guitar, accompanied by a drummer, who guided the children through a series of rhythms and musical patterns. Split into groups, they used their bodies as much as the instruments, clapping, slapping, and moving to the music.
Headteacher David Hume said: "It is very much a children involved activity, it is not sit and watch, it is take part." He said it was about the fifth time in succession Marcel had made the trip from London and they had already booked him up for next year. "They loved it. There were loads of children after school asking for his autograph, it was a while before he could get away and I think it shows how impressed they were," added Mr Hume.
Pupils learn new rhythms
South American rhythms echoed through a Bulkington School as they received a visit from musical duo "Bassistry Arts". The children at St. James Church of England Junior School joined in with their own instruments as they were taught a new type of music. They were treated to lessons in composition, rhythm and dance work through a musical day.
Teacher Valerie Bell said: "Musician Marcel Pusey wrote to us asking if we would like a visit at the school., This is the first time they have visited Warwickshire and they have been marvellous. The children have really joined in with the music and learned the different rhythms and how they can be used."
The musicians Marcel Pusey and Philippe D' Amonville, from London, are part of the award winning education group "Bassistry Arts". The duo worked separately with different year groups in the school as they prepared for a mass concert at the end of the day. "I would definitely invite the group back to the school, as they have been an inspiration. I think all the children enjoyed the day."
Howbridge Primary School
Two professional musicians brought a sense of rhythm to a primary school music workshop yesterday. Bass guitarist/composer Marcel Pusey and drummer Phillippe D'Amonville, from the Bassistry Arts company, spent the day at Howbridge Primary School in Witham, helping in the national curriculum work of ten and 11-year-olds.
Their team draws together numerous strands, from Phillippe's South American origins to Marcel's studies at the Western Australian Conservatorium of Music. Through a day's busy schedule they worked with more than 80 children on different rhythms encompassed by the curriculum, starting off with basic rock and graduating to the more complex Latin American and Samba, among others.
The duo talked about how their instruments worked, allowing the pupils to have a go at producing something like the right notes themselves. "The kids loved it," said teacher Madeleine Miller, "they gave them lots of hands-on experience, and played rhythm games as well.". A return visit is planned for a fortnight's time.
Englefield Primary School
Toe-tapping five to 10-year-olds at Englefield Primary School found the fascinating rhythms of London musicians Bassistry hard to beat last Thursday, when the two-man group held a workshop at the school. Bassist Marcel Pusey and drummer Paul Brett, pictured with children from years five and six, went on to infuse the whole school with their beautiful beats before the day-long session was done.
Headteacher Mrs Lesley Hankin said the workshop started with the duo teaching pupils to clap different rhythms and went on to cover moving their bodies in time to the music and the different rhythms of the world. She said the work of the award-winning group, which started up with help from the Prince's Youth Business Trust and has become one of Prince Charles' favourites, was a useful complement to more traditional music lessons. "Bringing in an outside group like this is another way of catching the children's attention," she said.
Springfield Primary School
Lessons at a Tilehurst school went with a swing when a music teaching roadshow waltzed in. Musicians from London-based Bassistry Arts brought with them a van full of instruments such as electric guitars and glockenspiels when they visited Springfield Primary School. They were a big hit with pupils right from the moment they turned morning assembly into a dance session.
Fiona Watson, Springfield's music co-ordinator, said: "They were absolutely fantastic. They played world music at assembly and had the whole school dancing - and they had them under control as well." Bassistry Arts spent one-and-a-half days running National Curriculum workshops for children. Miss Watson said: "They provided different activities for each age group. They were very professional and worked at exactly the right level."
Pupils jump to the beat at Southam
Pupils at Southam Primary School got into the rhythm when they enjoyed a day of musical workshops on Friday. The sessions were led by London-based musicians Bassistry Arts who tour schools writing and performing programmes in line with the national curriculum. All the pupils joined in the workshops and they were able to develop their skills on instruments like the trumpet, flute and violin.
The day culminated with a production involving Years 5 and 6 based on a special theme. Deputy head Mike Waters said: "The children got a tremendous amount out of the workshops and learnt all about rhythm and performing." Bassistry Arts' Marcel Pusey is pictured during a session with young musicians Adrian Wilson, 10 , Emma Fluke, 10, Georgia Pratt, 11, Matthew Jones, 11 and 10-year-old Rebecca Hudson.