Medieval and Tudor Musicians
"I just wanted to say a really big thank you for your visit last week.
The children really enjoyed themselves, and it was so lovely to be able to see the instruments, costumes and to take part in the dances.
They loved having a go on the Hurdy Gurdy and bagpipes.
It has given them a really good start to their Tudor topic and a taste of the times in all sorts of ways.
It was a fabulous morning. Thank you once again."
Maralin Fraser, Decoy School, Devon
“The children were captivated throughout, they really enjoyed exploring the array of period instruments and listening to the beautiful music. A great way of bringing history to life and providing a truly memorable experience.”
Lisa Rowe,Teacher,
Widecombe Primary, Devon
Welcome to our school workshops page. The members of Caliban's Dream are passionate about their subject and are enthusiastic about inspiring children with a love of music and history. Steve Tyler and Katy Marchant are first class players of early instruments. Dr Ricardo Barros is a leading authority on period dance both in the UK and Brazil.
Together they will take your class on a fascinating journey back to the time of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. With an exciting array of authentic period instruments, demonstrations of courtly and rustic dances from the 16th century and beautiful costumes of the time, these inspiring workshops will combine music, dance and history bringing it alive in an interesting and entertaining way. Our workshops are guaranteed to provide a vivid and inspiring experience that your students will remember for a long time to come.
KS1 and KS2 Tudor Music and Dance Workshops
Testimonials
Workshop Outline
Hear Real Tudor Instruments.
There will then follow an engaging and informative demonstration of authentic period costume as worn by the workshop facilitators. The children will be encouraged to ask lots of questions and engage in a discussion about how the different social classes dressed, how the clothes were made and dyed and where clothing would have come from.
The workshop will begin with a demonstration of some of the instruments including hurdy gurdy, bagpipes, gothic harp, shawm, pipe & tabor and percussion. The music will provide a captivating and evocative introduction to the historical period. Ricardo will then demonstrate some virtuoso solo dances from the Courts of France. The children will be encouraged to ask questions and to enter into discussions about topics covered.
This sample workshop is suitable for up to 30 children and lasts from one to one and a half hours.
Next there will be an entertaining demonstration of how the instruments work, how sound is produced and a discussion of how the instruments would have been made and from which materials. We will discuss the evolution of instruments and show how early instruments were the predecessors of the modern instruments we are familiar with today. The children will be invited to come and have a go on some of the instruments which will include the bagpipes, hurdy gurdy, harp and pipe and tabor. We will encourage a discussion about the function of music in Tudor society, who would have played it, when it would have been played and how music making would have differed between the social classes.
Costume Demonstration
The Science of Sound
The children will then have fun dressing up in an array of historical hats and clothes. They will have the opportunity to learn to sing a Tudor song and join in with dances from the streets and courts of 16th century France and England.
Learn a Tudor song and Tudor Dance
The aims and objectives of the Children’s Tudor Workshop are to demonstrate in an interactive and engaging way that history is fun and interesting. We aim to inspire children to appreciate music and to demystify the playing of musical instruments. We seek to encourage children to feel confident to ask questions and to enter into dynamic discussions and to take part in demonstrations of costumes, dancing and the hands on experience of the instruments.
We use the music and instruments as a way to illustrate and to include a lot of historical details. Children get a vivid sense of history from hearing the sounds of the day. They are put in touch with the technology of the time by learning how the instruments work and how they would have been made. Music of a period strongly evokes the time in a way that inspires children, encourages them to retain information and develop a passion for the subject.
“The Tudor Music and Dance workshop was a fantastic experience for all of our Key Stage 2 children. It really enhanced the children's understanding of music in Tudor times as they got to listen to and play many of the various instruments. A very worthwhile experience. Thank you.”
Mark Goodright, Harrowbarrow School.
Previous clients include English Heritage, National Trust, Nottingham City Council, Stafford City Council, Royal Armouries Museum, Music in Duffield, and various schools including Parracombe School, Widecombe School, Linton Primary School and Harrowbarrow Primary School. They have also made several appearances on Radio 3, Channel 5 television and provided music for several films.
Interactive music, dance and period costume workshops
Workshop Aims and Objectives
Introduction
“Absolutely outstanding – a fascinating, informative presentation.The children were enthralled.”
Sue Whyld, Head Teacher, William Gilbert Primary, Duffield
“Brilliant! The children loved being given the chance to interact, and it fitted in perfectly with the history project we have been studying.”
Jenny Lathrope,Teacher,
Duffield Meadows Primary, Derbyshire
“Katy Marchant and Steve Tyler led hour-long workshops in two primary schools. They were educational, informative, interactive and great fun. The children were fascinated to learn about the clothes worn and the instruments played in the medieval period, and they were extremely keen to play some of the instruments, dress up and dance and sing.”
Mike Alexander, Music at Duffield.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need further information;
Email: medieval.musicians@gmail.com
Mobile: 07522 041630
