THE atmosphere in the music room of Garrowhill Primary School in the east end of Glasgow is one of deep concentration. Young eyes dart between the teacher at the front of the room and the percussion instruments, behind which each child is stationed. The xylophone player drops a stick and misses a beat; a giggle ripples through the tension before the junior music group seamlessly pick up the song, Eco Rap, which they wrote under the guidance of teacher Pamela Moore.
The children are among 7000 amateur performers - mostly youngsters - from the UK, US and Canada preparing to take part in the Glasgow Music Festival, which starts tomorrow. Garrowhill has entered three groups - a music group and two verse speaking groups - and hopes to replicate its success last year, when pupils won the Gilmour Bar Trophy for their efforts.
The two-week festival, which runs until March 17, is one of the biggest of its kind.
Although described as a music festival, the event, which first took place in 1911, encompasses public speaking, poetry recital, dance and even news-reading.
Over the years the emphasis has moved from competition to participation - every entrant is judged by a professional and receives a certificate evaluating their performance. Performances, which total more than 170 hours, will take place at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Woodside Halls and Renfield St Stephen's Church, and are open to the public.
Several well-known musicians have cut their performing teeth at the festival. These include William Conway, conductor, soloist and artistic director of the Hebrides Ensemble, who was also principal cellist with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and co-founded the Chamber Orchestra of Europe; Douglas Boyd, the British oboist; and Gillian Findlay, who played violin in the London Symphony Orchestra.
Even for those who are not interested in a career in performance arts, there are many benefits to be gained from participating.
Richard Buchan, headteacher at Garrowhill Primary, believes taking part is a valuable experience for the children. "It really builds their self-esteem and confidence. Children who perhaps aren't as strong in the traditional subjects can shine in music and drama.
Expressive arts is very much a level playing field, which is good. Lots of children really rise to the occasion of performing in front motivate them."
Like many of the organisers, festival chairman Robert MacDonald took part as a child, singing in choirs and playing the cello.
He believes the positive experiences people take away from the event help drive the festival forward. "The volunteers feel they really got something out of the experience when they were younger and are keen to put something back," he says. "Everywhere you go, you meet someone who has a connection with the festival.
There is a real sense of history. So many of the participants have parents or teachers who took part: it's a real family event. With so many performers, there is a definite buzz to the city over the two weeks.
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The importance of music to children's learning is something that is being recognised by government. From August, the Scottish Executive plans to make it a more integral part of the learning process for children entering primary one, as part of the Curriculum for Excellence. While traditional techniques will remain for reading, writing and numbers, more emphasis will be placed on using drama, music and art in lessons.
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| HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE: Piano soloists Tina Ha and Jennifer Clark studying their music at Renfield St Stephen's Church in Glasgow last year |
For those who want to learn how to play an instrument, the opportunities are improving. Jack McConnell, the First Minister, made a commitment to increasing access to music lessons for all pupils in 2003. Critics say this commitment has been watered down, but the introduction in Dumfries and Galloway last year of specialist music tuition by video conferencing has been welcomed.
The pilot scheme allows pupils at rural schools to receive brass tuition from a teacher almost 100 miles away.
Keywords: Music Festival, St Stephen, Glasgow Music Festival, Renfield St Stephen, Garrowhill Primary, Renfield St, Glasgow Music, Chamber Orchestra
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