OUTREACH EVENTS
In 1997 the first of a number of Schools Projects was introduced, funded by money from the Lottery (Arts4Everyone) and led by Russell Keable with the Schidlof Quartet. The schools involved were Woolmer Hill, the Royal School, and Godalming College. Presentation concerts were given in each school. Since then similar events have been organised by HHH Concerts with some of our most recent concerts featured below.
November 2023: Woolmer Hill Pupils Hear Music Fit for a King
In November, 80 pupils from Woolmer Hill were invited by HHH Concerts to a music workshop presented by The Oneira Trio. They got to hear live harp, flute and viola music across a range of solos, duets and the trio in the school hall. The concert lasted an hour and included a lively Q&A.
Head of Music and Creative Arts Faculty at Woolmer Hill School, Tom Heatley, shared:
“We created a concert venue in our school hall for a selection of Years 8 to 10 pupils. The concert was organised by HHH concerts in collaboration with The Oneira Trio, and we are very grateful that they arranged this for us. The performers were Emily Harris on harp, Isabelle Harris on flute and Teresa Macedo on viola. It was really inspiring. The students were thrilled, what a brilliant opportunity it was for them. One of the pupils attending who plays clarinet said “It was so brilliant, especially the harp.” A special moment came when the musicians were asked if they had ever performed for famous people. There was an audible gasp in the room when Emily Harris told the pupils that she had played the harp for King Charles!”
Stephen Dennison, Chairman – HHH Concerts, invited the school pupils so that they could be introduced to music of the highest quality at a young age. He said that this may have been the first time the children will have heard professional musicians play live. Mr Dennison is passionate about growing audiences for classical music in Haslemere. He said:
“It was a joy to see the looks of concentration on the pupils’ faces as they listened to the musicians. The pupils’ questions after were curious and insightful. It was all the more special when three pupils were given the chance to conduct the trio. I would like to extend my gratitude to Cavatina Chamber Music Trust whose funding helped make this outreach concert happen.”
October 2023: Lunchtime Outreach Series with Shottermill Junior School, Camelsdale Primary School, and Undershaw Education Trust
It is not every day children can sit up close and hear professional musicians play live music. Last week, lucky Year 5 pupils from Shottermill Junior School and Camelsdale Primary School and Year 11 GCSE Music students from Undershaw Education Trust were invited by HHH Concerts to three chamber music concerts at St. Christopher’s Church in Haslemere. They got to hear live violin, flute, cello and piano music across a range of old and modern classical music. The concerts lasted an hour and the schoolchildren were captivated by the music.
Head of Music at Undershaw Education Trust, James Lindsey, had this to say:
“We took the Year 11 GCSE Music group to see a wonderful concert at St. Christopher’s Church in Haslemere. The concert was organised by HHH concerts, and we are very grateful that they invited us. The performers were Julia Pusker on violin and Renata Konyicska on piano, playing music by Beethoven and Bartok. The Year 11s were both calmed and thrilled by the beautiful music.”
One of the pupils attending said “It was so relaxing and if I’m honest I felt a tear coming down my cheek because it was so good. I would love to go to more concerts like it in the future. The last piece (by Bartok) was just amazing.” Another pupil said, “They played so fast and it was such good violin playing and the piano made me calm”.
Stephen Dennison, Chairman – HHH Concerts, invited the school pupils so that they could be introduced to music of the highest quality at a young age. He told the paper that this may have been the first time the children will have heard professional musicians play live. You can hear Mr Dennison’s passion for growing audiences for classical music in Haslemere. He said:
“It was a joy to see the looks of concentration on the pupils’ faces as they listened to the musicians over the three days. This could be the start of a deep appreciation of music and maybe they will be encouraged to take up a musical instrument. I would like to extend my gratitude to Waitrose in Haslemere whose donation helped make these concerts happen.”
October 2023: Lunchtime Duo Outreach Series with Shottermill Junior School, Camelsdale Primary School, and Undershaw Education Trust
Sarah Palmer, Headteacher at Camelsdale School, said her Year 5s really enjoyed the performance by flautist Anna Kondrashina and pianist Pavel Timofeyevsky. They were so enthusiastic and went on to say:
“Our pupils loved the concert. It was very special for our teachers to see the children all nodding their heads to the beat of the music when Anna Kondrashina actually made her flute sound like drums. They still do not know how she did that. We’d like to thank HHH for inviting us.”
The final concert was a performance by world-class cellist, Pei-Jee Ng, and prize-winning pianist, Chiao-Ying Chang.
Shottermill Junior School’s pupils who heard this cello/piano duo were equally enthralled. They heard Pei-Jee Ng on cello accompanied by Chiao-Ying Chang on piano.
Kate Barnes, headteacher at Shottermill, said:
“It was a real honour for our Year 5s to hear professional musicians right here in Haslemere. Our pupils were amazed how the music was happy, sad, playful, angry, slow and romantic all in just one hour. Our special thanks to HHH Concerts for giving us the chance to hear this cellist and pianist.”
The next concert from HHH will be an evening piano recital at St. Christopher’s Church on 4th November with prize-winning virtuoso Menyang Pan. The full programme from HHH Concerts is available to view via their website hhhconcerts.org.uk. Cavatina Trust supports free concert places for HHH for those aged 8 to 25.
March 2023: Meraki Duo Concert at St Christopher’s Church
In March 2023, Meraki Duo played an open concert in Haslemere. This came about after Meera contacted us in a private message on Twitter.
Meraki comprises Meera Maharaj on flute and James Girling on guitar.
Before the scheduled concert, they delivered a music workshop for pupils at Grayswood CoE School. They are Live Music Now artists and often give workshops in schools across the country, exploring music through storytelling. The children learned about the flute and guitar. They enjoyed meeting Meera and James, and hearing their beautiful music.