Mahler for 10 year olds – an inspirational project
mainA musician in north-east London, David Hoskins, has sent me a project his orchestra has undertaken with local schoolchildren, showing them a video performance of the Resurrection symphony and harvesting their creative responses. In six sessions over three weeks, the Year 5 pupils in Chapel End Junior School, Walthamstow, heard sections from the symphony, discussed their reactions, made their own art works and composed music – a selection of which will be played by the orchestra before tonight’s performance of the work in Walthamstow Assembly Hall.
You can download a sample of their work here.
One pupil wrote:
I have to leave now
I will never forget you
The sun will come up
– as good an analysis of Mahler as you could wish for. If you’re free tonight, there’s Mahler from the Forest, where he began.
Interesting choice.
When I was at school, music about furry animals and pretty flowers was considered appropriate listening. I’ve been convinced ever since that this patronising, feminised approach did more harm than good. Give them Mahler, Stravinsky and Shostakovich. They may not understand it but at least they won’t have to defect to Rock to find something thrilling to listen to.
Mozart can come later.