July 7th-17th 2025

for Years 4 to 6

Varndean School, Brighton

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A collaborative initiative between Sussex Music School and Varndean School to enhance cultural education in primary schools through gamelan music.

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10 schools from all over Sussex, brought children from Y4-6 to experience playing the authentic Javanese Gamelan gongs and metallophones to make traditional Indonesian music

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An invaluable experience of a non-western culture through music

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Teacher Training and Professional Development

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Teachers experienced the Gamelan for themselves and were provided with easy to follow lesson plans for greater depth and follow-up in the classroom as well as advance video resources to prepare and get the most out of this amazing and unique experience

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The whole event was confidence-building for both generalist and specialist teachers

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Feedback from Head of KS2 Curriculum , Annan School

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"We took part in the gamelan workshop on the second to last day of the school year. The children who took part had over the course of the year been on multiple school trips, theatrical experiences, taken part in art workshops... even met cast members from Doctor Who but this experience was by far the most impactful for the children. From the first time a note was sounded on the Gamelan you could tell by the children's reaction that this was a learning experience that was going to have a significant impact on them at a deep level. Throughout the workshop their joy was obvious. They were attentive and absolutely focused on what they were learning about, thanks to the dynamic and energetic guidance offered by our workshop leader. One clear measure of how impactful this event was for the children (as well as all the positive comments offered by the class when they were back at school) was how one child with a complex SEN learning profile took part in almost the whole session. This was in total contrast to her levels of engagement with music back in school and for me a clear indication as to powerful levels of holding that playing the Gamelan offers. Absolutely fantastic event."

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