Anghiari 2004
Throughout our school visits in Anghiari,we were very aware of the importance and pride placed upon CULTURAL activities within the curriculum.
From the youngest pupils at the scuala materna ?where we were enchanted by the singing of an action-counting -song involving elephants-to the musical contributions by the older pupils at the scuala media ,we saw children who were proud of their culture ,their heritage ,their environment and themselves
At MATERNA level (pupils aged 3-5 years) the music was taught by class teachers,in both whole school and smaller group situations.There was a familiar pattern to the songs with lots of repetition and simple tunes.
Higher up at the ELEMENTARE level (pupils aged 6-11) use is made of weekly specialist music teachers.The emphasis was on the progression of skills,seasonal music involving cross-curricular links and ?traditional songs? which reflect Italian culture.All the pupils were involved and again we were made very aware of the obvious pride and enthusiasm for taking part.
At the scuala MEDIA (11-14 year olds) we were given a splendid performance in THE most amazing ?community hall? which was immediately adjacent to the school.The ?hall? came complete with wonderful frescos around the walls and it was a well cared for ,much loved and much used resource.
The 55-60 pupils ?whom we had previously heard practising while we were simply walking around this amazing medieval town ?were SO proud and enthusiastic.The WHOLE group took part,playing guitar, recorder or singing with considerable gusto!We stood to attention and shared in their performance of our National Anthem followed by an Italian folk song and a very trendy version of ?Volare?!Simply spendid!The specialist teacher commanded respect from this lively group of teenagers,she shared her natural enthusiasm and love of music and we the visitors, felt very privileged to have shared in this very memorable performance.
In Anghiari ,there is also s pecialist music school where some pupils will transfer at 14-15 years of age.Some of our group were also able to visit this establishment and share in the music- making.The facilities are well used ?out of school hours by people from the local community and it is where groups can rehearse for annual festival held in the local central square.
We were very aware of the immense pride shown by the Italians in their cultural traditions and we were surrounded by evidence of this heritage.At secondary level particularly,there is evidence of a very ?joined-up? approach to the Arts and Humanities.Considerable attention is paid to the development of creativity and artistic skills.This visit has indeed inspired our group with many musical ideas which we plan to implement as a part of our forthcoming action -plan.
From the youngest pupils at the scuala materna ?where we were enchanted by the singing of an action-counting -song involving elephants-to the musical contributions by the older pupils at the scuala media ,we saw children who were proud of their culture ,their heritage ,their environment and themselves
At MATERNA level (pupils aged 3-5 years) the music was taught by class teachers,in both whole school and smaller group situations.There was a familiar pattern to the songs with lots of repetition and simple tunes.
Higher up at the ELEMENTARE level (pupils aged 6-11) use is made of weekly specialist music teachers.The emphasis was on the progression of skills,seasonal music involving cross-curricular links and ?traditional songs? which reflect Italian culture.All the pupils were involved and again we were made very aware of the obvious pride and enthusiasm for taking part.
At the scuala MEDIA (11-14 year olds) we were given a splendid performance in THE most amazing ?community hall? which was immediately adjacent to the school.The ?hall? came complete with wonderful frescos around the walls and it was a well cared for ,much loved and much used resource.
The 55-60 pupils ?whom we had previously heard practising while we were simply walking around this amazing medieval town ?were SO proud and enthusiastic.The WHOLE group took part,playing guitar, recorder or singing with considerable gusto!We stood to attention and shared in their performance of our National Anthem followed by an Italian folk song and a very trendy version of ?Volare?!Simply spendid!The specialist teacher commanded respect from this lively group of teenagers,she shared her natural enthusiasm and love of music and we the visitors, felt very privileged to have shared in this very memorable performance.
In Anghiari ,there is also s pecialist music school where some pupils will transfer at 14-15 years of age.Some of our group were also able to visit this establishment and share in the music- making.The facilities are well used ?out of school hours by people from the local community and it is where groups can rehearse for annual festival held in the local central square.
We were very aware of the immense pride shown by the Italians in their cultural traditions and we were surrounded by evidence of this heritage.At secondary level particularly,there is evidence of a very ?joined-up? approach to the Arts and Humanities.Considerable attention is paid to the development of creativity and artistic skills.This visit has indeed inspired our group with many musical ideas which we plan to implement as a part of our forthcoming action -plan.