"The chance for our pupils to engage with live musical performance and take part in engaging and interactive workshops is something we value greatly, and also something that the children will gain a huge amount from."
Nick Webster, Head of The Federation of West Leigh Infants and Backwell Junior Schools
Education
At the heart of the festival lies our education programme, which will take place between 2nd-6th October, to support and nurture music education through partnership programmes with schools and the local community. SIFA will be working with the award-winning education team ‘Preludes’ from The Bristol Ensemble for our local schools’ projects and our family workshop day. These projects will give many local school children their first interactive musical experience.
Our music education projects and workshops will give the children an invaluable opportunity to learn about music, listen to world-class musicians, play a wide variety of musical instruments, and make music together. Part of these workshops will be dedicated to group singing and rhythm sessions to promote a sense of belonging and boost their self-esteem. Each of the music education projects will link to the national curriculum, ensuring cross-links to other subjects.
Outreach
Another essential aspect of our community festival are the outreach projects within local Backwell and Nailsea care homes, ensuring that those who cannot physically attend our festival can engage and enjoy a live concert in their own care home.
We believe the festival will have an enormously positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of those involved, increasing social contact with others in their community, and creating an inspiring cultural legacy.