London’s Philharmonia Orchestra is taking to the road and heading to the Isle of Man.
As part of the Island of Culture 2014 celebrations the orchestra’s MusicLab, a new mobile pop-up orchestral experience housed in a 13.5 metre long vehicle packed with interactive technology, will be visiting primary schools in the Isle of Man for a week beginning on October 13th thanks to the Isle of Man Arts Council and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
The four schools taking part are Rushen Primary, St John’s Primary, Bunscoill Rhumsaa and St Ninian’s Lower School.
MusicLab is part of a pioneering two-year digital audience and education project called iOrchestra. Using cutting-edge digital technology MusicLab offers a series of hands-on musical games and interaction designed to put visitors – adults as well as children – in the shoes of a composer, performer and producer.
In the lab are five activity ‘stations’: Chorus Booth (a mini recording studio enabling pupils to sing along to music, with recordings eventually layered to produce a ‘school’ piece); The Console (using your hand as a composer remixing orchestra sounds); The Instruments (try your hand at French horn, timpani, cello and clarinet under video instruction); Hi5! (creating music by touching a digital sound board); and Listening Bench (learn all about the Philharmonia Orchestra through a film library, such as how it recorded the music for the Harry Potter video games).
MusicLab’s visit, which will include a public open day on Saturday October 18th at St Ninian’s Lower School from around 10am to 4pm, marks a coup for the Isle of Man as it will be the first place outside of mainland Britain where it will have toured.
It was first launched to Key Stage 2 children and teachers in the south west of England earlier this year and was enthusiastically received.
‘The groups really enjoyed their visits to MusicLab. It was a completely new experience for our folk as many had never even held an instrument before. The staff were really encouraging and ensured that everyone took part and had fun. MusicLab offered our community a chance to be a part of special event and try these valuable instruments. Even those young people who thought it was going to be boring ended up being involved and didn't want to leave when our time was up – the visit went so quickly.’
Community worker from the Halcyon Centre, Plymouth.
‘Everyone who visits has the chance to explore and interact with the music. I have helped a boy as young as two years old bow the cello and there have been some very excited young people with special needs who've responded really positively to the installation. It’s been hugely popular and very busy. At one point we had over 80 students from Brixham College wanting to come and play at lunchtime.’
Amanda Bluglass, viola in the Torbay Symphony Orchestra and assistant facilitator MusicLab.
‘Being a teenager myself I've found that classical music isn't seen as “cool” and many people around my age and younger have no interest in it. However, MusicLab cleverly mixes classical music with technology and this is sparking an interest among young people. It offers them the chance to find out about classical music whilst having fun and trying out instruments for themselves at their own pace.’
Kathryn Collings, performing arts student at Exeter University MusicLab volunteer.
Ahead of the tour David Whelton, the Philharmonia Orchestra’s managing director, said: ‘We’re really excited to bring this incredible experience to the Isle of Man. MusicLab combines the very latest digital technology with classical music in a way that’s endlessly fun, engaging and interactive. ‘We see this as a real catalyst for change in people’s perception of orchestral music and can’t wait to get started.’
Transporting the MusicLab to the Isle of Man has been made possible thanks to the generosity of Island of Culture financial partner the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The company’s chief executive Mark Woodward said: ‘Throughout 2014 the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has been proud to lend its support to Island of Culture, which has proved a wonderful celebration of the rich and diverse cultural scene the Isle of Man has. We’re delighted to be continuing that support by providing free transport of the MusicLab, which will be one of the highlights of what has already been a tremendous year.’
Isle of Man Arts Council chairman Geoff Corkish MLC said: ‘As we celebrate Island of Culture 2014, MusicLab will provide opportunities for everyone to learn more about music, sound and orchestras. Making this type of activity accessible to all has been central to the aims of Island of Culture.
’Throughout this special year we have worked closely with the Department of Education and Children. With MusicLab not only will children have the opportunity to try something new and perhaps be set on a creative path they had not considered before, but also the general public will be able to discover something of the exciting world of music making.
‘We are very proud that the Isle of Man is hosting this pioneering project and indebted to our financial partner the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for their vision and generous support.’
Island of Culture events director Michael Lees said: ‘When we launched Island of Culture in January this year I said how this island nation was noted for independent thinking and receptive to new ideas and nowhere is this more evident than as we welcome the MusicLab to our shores.
‘Bringing the MusicLab to the Island has been a monumental undertaking, both logistically and financially, which has required commitment and hard work on the part of so many people and been some 18 months in the making.
‘I should therefore like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to all those who have made this exciting week of discovery, learning and entertainment possible; not least to James Williams, the Philharmonia’s director, residencies and regional programme, for his guidance, support and motivational enthusiasm and to our financial partner the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for facilitating the MusicLab’s transportation to and from the Island.
‘Thanks must also go to the Isle of Man Arts Council and the Island of Culture team; to the Department of Education and Children and of course to the island’s schools, especially the head teachers, for embracing this project wholeheartedly.
‘The MusicLab offers a unique experience for all ages and abilities that draws on the very latest digital technology to reveal the fascinating world of orchestral music-making in a revolutionary new way.
‘I am therefore enormously proud that the Isle of Man is taking part in a project that so amply reflects Island of Culture’s call to action: “Be Inspired. Get Involved.’”
For more information, contact Emma Quirk, Emma.Quirk@gov.im, mrsq.virtualassistant@gmail.com or call 697420/341823.
