Students and teachers in Bolton were enthralled at a masterclass with a world famous violinist.
Anyone familiar with the world of classical music will know the name Nicola Benedetti, who won BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2004, aged only 16.
She founded The Benedetti Foundation, which aims to provide equal access to music participation and appreciation for all.
Part of the foundation is the Benedetti Sessions, which are three-day workshops for school age string players, string teachers and primary classes.
They aim to give the players experience in music in a mass collective setting and to inspire teachers with new ways to teach their children.
At the weekend, 215 young musicians of all ages and stages attended a Benedetti Session at The Victoria Hall in Bolton.
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Saturday started with warmups, followed by Nicola and her team of tutors and ambassadors performing for the children.
Participants were then split into learning groups based on abilities.
Speaking after one of the learning groups, Nicola said: “The main thing for us is that we spend a lot of time and energy sourcing who we believe are revolutionary, energetic, top level figures within music education.
“Our belief is that if you put the best of those people in front of as many people as possible, then you are creating more of the same.”
She added: “There can be a level of dumbing down or patronising that is just not what we do.
"People rise to the potential that you put in front of them.”
Nicola also shared her admiration of the The Victoria Hall.
She said: “It’s an absolutely beautiful hall.
"The kids and all the young people, their whole attitude and enthusiasm has been brilliant.
“I’ve already done some exercises with the Advanced Orchestra, the oldest group we’ve got here.
"Their ability to do what I was asking, the level is extremely high.
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“All of our tutors have seen the videos that were sent in of those who are here to play, and I can tell you hand on heart there is a lot of great teaching and great playing going on in this area.”
Lauren Dunbar, aged 16, who goes to Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, said: “I find it really inspiring, how they’re just able to work with so many age groups, and they’re so energetic, especially for the morning!”
Speaking after the performance and before the classes, Lauren said how excited she was.
She added: "I’m most looking forward to being able to create music with so many different people.
“I love the school, but in school it’s a more closed environment, but it’s nice to be able to experience all different environments.
“But this is a new one, and I like to experience that.”
On being asked what it was like to be taught by Nicola as a fellow violinist, Lauren said: “I’m almost starstruck!”
Alex Hunt, a strings teacher at East Riding Schools Music Service, who travelled to Bolton from near Hull to see the workshops, said: “I’m really excited to come and learn from these people.
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“It’s so exciting, I love how much they have engaged everybody. I love being in the audience.”
Speaking about Nicola, she said: “I’m a bit starstruck, but she is so down to earth and related so well with the children.
“I’ve already learnt two new warmups that are going straight into my teaching next week.
“It’s great to discuss different methods of teaching.
"There’s always something you learn when you come and work with other teachers and students.”
To find out more about The Benedetti Sessions, visit: www.benedettifoundation.org.
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