On Wednesday 15 April, the Danylko Quartet visited Westgate Primary School, performing a varied and engaging programme including Jurassic Park, a Haydn Minuet, and Shotgun. Alongside their performance, the boys confidently introduced their instruments and spoke about their musical journeys, offering pupils a valuable insight into life as a young musician. With all Year 3 pupils at Westgate currently learning the violin, a live string quartet proved to be the perfect way to bring their studies to life. A particular highlight was the opportunity for Westgate pupils to join in. Students performed on the violin, accompanied by the quartet in a creative and improvisatory piece. This was a truly inclusive and memorable moment that captivated everyone involved. We extend our thanks to the boys for their professionalism and enthusiasm, and to Mrs Worthington (Visiting Music Teacher Violin) for her leadership of the ensemble.

Feedback from Westgate was overwhelmingly positive, with staff and pupils alike inspired by the experience. One Year 4 pupil commented, “They were amazing. I would love to be able to play like that,” while a younger student asked, “Do we have a viola that I could play?” A testament to the curiosity and excitement sparked by the visit.

Later in the week, on Friday 17 April, our Senior Clarinet Ensemble visited Evergreen School. Their programme featured Super Mario – Main Theme, Grieg’s Morning Mood, and Viva La Vida by Coldplay, all of which were met with an enthusiastic and animated response from the audience.

The boys once again demonstrated excellent communication skills, introducing the different types of clarinets through engaging presentations and live demonstrations. Pupils at Evergreen were then given the opportunity to try the instruments themselves, supported and encouraged by our students. An experience that proved to be both joyful and empowering. Our thanks go to the performers, as well as to Mr Clarke-Butler (Head of Woodwind) and Miss Lacey (Graduate Music Assistant) for their expert guidance and support.

Evergreen staff highlighted just how meaningful the visit was, particularly in providing accessible and engaging live music in a familiar and safe environment. The opportunity for pupils to actively participate, supported by the encouragement of our students, was described as a “beautiful” moment and a clear highlight of the session.

These visits exemplify the strength of our musical outreach programme. Not only do they inspire the next generation of musicians within our community, but they also provide invaluable opportunities for our own students to develop confidence, leadership, and character through performance. Our sincere thanks go to Mr Tibbitts (Head of Brass and Music Outreach), for leading and overseeing these initiatives. As a department, we are committed to sharing our passion for music beyond the school, and we look forward to continuing to build these meaningful connections in the future.