Musical youth help teachers get in tune
MUSIC performance is the order of the day at Whitworth Community High School - and staff are getting in on the act.
Talented pupils including horn-player Zoe Wright, Sam Milton, who plays tuba, Alex Lord, cornet as well as Matthew Shiel and Jack Marshall, both trombone, have lent their talents to help teach the teachers.
A school spokeswoman said: “The school is delighted to have received a number of new brass instruments and guitars for our students to play and the take-up by students has been fantastic with many having lessons on a widevariety of instruments. “The new instruments are a real asset to the school - but it’s not only Whitworth’s students who have the opportunity to learn an instrument and be involved in the school wind band and other extra-curricular groups - number of the school’s staff have decided to learn a brass instrument as well.
“Thankfully, the school’s more experienced and talented brass players have agreed to tutor their teachers on the instruments.”
The pupils are holding extra tutorials during break and lunchtimes which staff have attended alongside beginners from Year 7.
Year 9 students Alex, Mathew and Jack had an extra reason to celebrate as they all passed their Grade Three Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) brass exam. All three worked hard with their teacher Hayley Walsh to prepare for the exam.
In addition, music teacher Richard Charles has been holding Drum Fun workshops at the school.
Pupils enjoyed playing the blue bin drums sounding fantastic after the first session.
More music is on the cards later in the term as the school plans to stage the classic musical Grease - and rehearsals are currently underway.