The Music for Youth School Proms, which involve performances by schools and youth music groups from all over Britain at the Albert Hall in London, were coming up. I thought it would be a really good idea if we did something to tie in with them.
We asked the parents if any of them played instruments and if they would come in and give the children, aged three and four, a demonstration. Over the two weeks they brought in a guitar, recorder, mandolin and keyboard.
The children especially liked the rock music played on the guitar. They didn't hesitate to correct one of the parents who kept calling the keyboard a piano!
The sixth formers from Ryburn Valley High School also visited and played nursery rhymes on their saxophone, cornet, trombone and flute for us. The children were able to learn about how the instruments were played and how the sound was made.
It was a very enjoyable experience for them and they got particularly excited with the fast and loud music. Their personal and social skills also improved from having new people in the nursery. They commented on how big the sixth formers were - one of the boys was even called a giant!
The children also had the chance to try playing the cornet, keyboard and various percussion instruments themselves. Some of them were a bit hesitant at first and they were worried that they wouldn't be able to make their music sound like a tune. But they soon gained confidence and they were able to express themselves in a way they wouldn't be able to otherwise.
I think this was a lovely idea because it gave the children the opportunity to see and take part in something new. They learned new musical terminology, and it was so nice to get the parents involved too. It is definitely something we will be doing again in the future.
Deputy manager Charlotte Hall spoke to Mahrukh Choughtai.
For more information about the education charity Music for Youth visit www.mfy.org.uk
