Creative Ensembles
What is Creative Ensembles?
Creative Ensembles introduces and develops the magic and universal educational powers of chamber music in music departments and classrooms nationwide. Pro Corda’s Creative Ensembles series can be tailored for primary and secondary school, as well as a specific GCSE and A-level focus. Pro Corda will spend time in your school, beginning at the level the classes are at, to develop skills and boost creativity at this crucial stage in a child’s musical journey.
It is a great way to excite instrumental group learning, ensemble and aural awareness, and to develop young performers as creatives.
Using the core principle of small ensemble music making, the format (which can work with groups as small as 3 or 4 through to whole classes) uses instrumental improvisation (tailored for all levels of experience) to forge new dynamic ways of thinking about performance, musical communication, listening skills, musical sonority, and texture. The workshops also emphasize emotional expression through music, enhancing the students’ connection to their instruments and to each other.
Mini-Ensemble Compositions
Mini-ensemble compositions are created as part of the workshop. These are taken further to enhance GCSE and A-level composition (or associated qualifications where ensemble composition is nearly always required.) This holistic approach not only reinforces theoretical knowledge but also provides practical, hands-on experience, ensuring that students grasp the essence of musical collaboration and creation.
Students are encouraged to bring an open mind to the Creative Ensembles workshop. This is a hands-on, practical learning experience where new sound worlds are explored, making it a creative musical adventure! Through these immersive sessions, students discover the joy of collective music-making, fostering a deep sense of musical community and personal artistic growth.
- Enhanced instrumental skills – tonal production and aural awareness
- Musicianship skills – inner pulse and phrase and acute listening
- Ensemble skills – Awareness of what it is like to be in a small ensemble and seeing the “building blocks” of small ensemble from the “inside out.”
- Composition skills – developing creativity and technical proficiency in writing for small groups
We’ve really enjoyed Andrew’s workshops because he manages that balancing act of making everybody feel comfortable with the creative task while ensuring everybody in the room has a say and is challenged at the right level.
His own creativity at the piano is inspiring, and It’s a lot of fun!”
Dr Jonathan James, Director, Bristol Pre-Conservatoire
How do we run the day?
The key is improvisation – whether Creative Ensembles is being used to develop existing or advanced groups or “kick starting” new groups. Young musicians come together with Pro Corda’s specialists and explore a chamber ensemble from the inside out. The nuts and bolts of what makes small ensemble performance work, and what makes it such an exciting medium, are explored via textural layered improvisations that then turn into mini compositions by the end of the session. These are then presented in a collaborative informal performance. For more advanced groups, interpretational ideas around repertoire is built in.
The emphasis is on having an exciting day, breaking barriers, and exploring this form of musical performance without the draw back of music stands and the printed page.
Creative Ensembles can be booked as half day or full day events.
“Our students are liberated and think entirely differently after a Creative Ensembles day.
It has invigorated performance and excited imaginations.”
Director of Music, The Grammar School of Leeds.
Creative Ensembles can be booked throughout the school year
Pro Corda is already delivering Creative Ensembles each month from Exeter to Leeds, and Creative Ensembles schools have used the workshops not just for all the performance skills that come with this work, but also for GCSE and A-level COMPOSITION course work.
How do I book?
Pro Corda Creative Ensembles workshops start at just £345 and can be booked by filling in a few details here. One of the team will then get in contact with you to book your session.
We look forward to meeting you!
"*" indicates required fields
Kieran Lynch, Upper Strings Teacher for Kingston upon Hull Music Service.
