"I was so impressed with what they achieved with the children! Undoubtedly the best schools work I've seen." David Sumner, Wigtownshire

CHROMA - PARTICIPATION & LEARNING

2011

- collaboration with SAE Institute - working with student sound engineers and film-makers

- composer workshops at the Royal Academy of Music (January)

- Norwich primary schools - Romeo & Juliet meets West Side Story (March)

- children's interactive concerts in Berkhamsted and Tring
"My children were absolutely captivated from the first note that was played! A CHROMA concert captures the imagination of each child and takes them on a magical musical journey. These incredibly talented musicians provide a rich learning experience" Christie Tonev, Greenway Primary School mother

- Workshops at RHUL (Spring / Autumn term)

- Frankenstein composition project with South Camden Community School and Edith Neville Primary School, Somers Town (May/June)

- Post-graduate composers' workshops and recording sessions at Guildhall School of Music and Drama (May/July)

- Hansel & Gretel opera-based project in Wiltshire primary schools (June-July)

2010

- children's concerts in Berkhamsted

- Music & Me project in two Amersham primary schools (January - June)
"the children obviously benefited from it enormously and the performance for the school on Friday was truly wonderful ... MAD (Music and Dance Festival at Waddesdon Manor) was a fantastic experience for them and to see them performing there on stage made me feel enormously proud. They could not have achieved that without all the work your musicians did with them. They were always patient, inspiring and kind to them and made the whole experience great fun. It is such a shame this project had to end but it's one we will remember for quite some time." Sue Harratt Head Teacher Woodside School

- Norwich primary schools with a fairy tale themed programme (March)

- Workshops at RHUL (Spring / Autumn term)

- Post-graduate composers' workshops and recording sessions at Guildhall School of Music and Drama (May/July)

- La Cenerentola opera-based project in Wiltshire primary schools (June-July)

- composer workshop at Royal Academy of Music (Dec)

Recent comments:
Durham University workshop and concert:
"Fascinating. I had to stop myself getting up and dancing in both the Cashian and the Bowden. Thanks for a brilliant programme and workshop."

Norwich Schools Programme 2009 (7-8 year olds)
"Dear Stuart and Claire and Tom, thankyou so much for inviting me to your proformance I really enjoyed it. You guys are so tallented and one day I wish I could play like you (because I looooooove music!) When me and my bestfriends got back on the coach all we could think about was you playing because you are amazing. My favourite piece you played was Morning and you all playing at our purple news letter! Lots of love, Lauren. p.s. hope to see you play again! xxxxxxxx"

The CHROMA musicians are experienced in participation & learning, and include it alongside performances where possible. Projects can pick up on themes present in the performance, or can be set up to complement existing projects happening in the area. CHROMA has worked with conservatoires/universities; teenage groups; marginalised/at risk groups; primary and secondary schools and hospitals.

CHROMA collaborates closely with key workers and teachers/educators to create bepoke projects. CHROMA is not limited to music content in its workshops, recently we have included creative writing, drama, movement and fine art elements in our sessions, as well as other associated areas such as geography and maths. We encourage participants to explore their own creativity through a variety of media, to open up possibilities and give them the confidence to continue experimenting and exploring!

Interactivity is key - giving participants hands-on experience, and encouraging them to make their own creative decisions. The teamwork aspect is also rewarding, with participants discovering the absorbing, if sometimes challenging, joys of collaborating creatively, and producing their own pieces of music for performance.

A selection of projects are documented in more detail in these pages below.
Please click on a project below to view details and photos.

Petrouchka on Sheltand photo gallery June 2008 (opens in new window)
Spitalfields Festival Composition Project Bow and Mulberry Schools 2007
Spitalfields Festival Guided Listening Project 2007
Shetland 2007 - Tangotastic
Norwich 2007 - Dirty Beasts
Basingstoke 2006 - Prince's Trust TEAM Programme
Norway 2006 - Klepp, Sandnes and Vikeså schools
Spitalfields Festival 2006 - Piazzolla Tango at Bow Boys School
Shetland 2006 - Odysseus Unwound
Norwich 2006 - Dance Around The World project
Norwich 2004 - In The Mendips project

"a stellar display of musicianship and stamina - the girls were overawed and thrilled!" Julian Grant, St Paul's Girls School - composition project