New Music School Will Dance To Russian tune - July 2005
A unique new music school which combines the Russian way of teaching classical music with a British approach is to start up.
Married couple Christopher and Maria Giles of St.Mary's Water Lane, Shrewsbury, began thinking about setting up a school around two years ago after spotting what they felt was a gap in the music scene.
The Shropshire School of Classical Music teaches across a wide range of ages starting from five years old.
The programme includes individual and group learning. What is different about Russian teaching is that music history, musical analysis and advanced aural training take a prominent role from an early age. Furthermore, playing the piano is seen as fundamental to many aspects of musical education and is a compulsory instrument.
"We are offering a complex musical education for pupils" said Maria.
Christopher, who is Director of Music at Kindland Grange School added "Our aim is to keep our pupils interested and musically involved".
He said that what they will be teaching will complement what children learn at school or if they are working towards getting grades.
Married
The lessons will be organised into courses called Semiquavers, a preparatory course for children aged five to six years old, Quavers for children aged between seven and nine years old and Crotchets for those aged between ten and sixteen years old. There will also be some basic courses for adults and extra weekly courses.
Other teachers include Russian pianist Olga Lewis and Philippa Dearsley who teaches choir.
Christopher and Maria, both aged 28, only married in April after meeting a couple of years earlier when Russian-born Maria was doing musical research in London for the Moscow State Conservatoire and Christopher was studying for a performance Masters at Goldsmiths, University of London.
They are doing a presenatation at Kingsland Grange School on August 13th at 10am which will feature a free recital given by the teachers and a talk about what the school involves. Children are encouraged to attend with their parents.
The school opens in September and runs term times taking place on Tuesday afternoons and Saturdays at Kingsland Grange School, while adult courses will be on Monday and Friday afternoons. For more information call 01743 363154 or 07906 377630.
Maria and Olga performed a lunchtime concert at the gateway on June 30 followed by disinguished concert pianist Felix Michael Deichmann on July 7.
Olga had stepped in to accompany Maria Giles with only 15 hours notice to replace Paul Hardy who had to withdraw due to an injured shoulder. Nevertheless, the two talented women performed exceptionally.
