Saffron Sounds - Jess Gillam Ensemble in Saffron Hall and Chelmsford Theatre

As a key partner in the Greater Essex Music Hub, Saffron Hall Trust has a role to take live musical experiences to school students across Essex. This term we have been working with Britten Sinfonia to take their school shows Dots and Lines, and Tiny Magic orchestra to over 2,000 children in 25 schools across the county including in Harlow, Braintree, Colchester and Clacton

On a larger scale, last week we were delighted to present schools concerts from the Jess Gillam ensemble in Chelmsford Theatre as well as Saffron Hall. The concerts reached over 750 pupils in years 4 to 6 from 10 different schools, with many of the young people experiencing live music for the first time. Teacher resources were provided to introduce the music to students before the concert and there was plenty of enthusiastic participation in music by composers ranging from King Henry VIII to Ayanna Witter Johnson – via Mozart and Duke Ellington!

“We could tell from the children's faces when we left that they were so full of wonder and inspiration from listening and interacting with live music. Even on a hot day they all walked back to school with an extra spring in their step.” Chelmsford primary school teacher.

“The concert took the children through a range of emotions, from slow and mesmerising music to lively and entertaining. The interaction from all the musicians was great - they looked like they were having a good time too. The performance was high quality and an excellent range of music.”

We are now busily planning to build on this work with the aim of presenting a range of performances in both schools and venues across Essex from the next academic year.

If you would like to discuss opportunities to support our ongoing projects across Essex, please contact Graham King, Business Development Director graham.king@saffronhall.com