Musicians from Switzerland joined students from Haslingden High School and Haslingden Primary School for an impromptu concert.
The Regionale Musikschule based in Liestal, Basel, were touring the North West for a week and visited Haslingden High School and Sixth Form to meet the school’s brass band and brass players from the primary school.
In the morning, students from all three schools met up in the Sixth Form Theatre to rehearse.
“All the bands had a practice session over periods 1, 2 and 3, and then we had a concert for the whole of Year 7. Each band did an individual 10 minutes and then we all played together; there were about 70 musicians on the stage. Together we played Ghostbusters and Viva La Vida by Coldplay and the Year 7s were chanting along; it was very inspirational.” – Expressive Arts Curriculum Lead, Kevin Gibbs
Several students have since approached Mr Gibbs about potentially joining the band because they had previous experience playing brass instruments.
Musical Director from Regionale Musikschule Ivan Estermann told Mr Gibbs he was inspired to see the way the school worked with the students.
“The group I was speaking to, I exchanged phone numbers with and we’ve been messaging, finding common interests and speaking German and English back to one another.” – Imogen, Year 11
The link came about because Gareth Crane, who teaches brass at Haslingden Primary School, plays with Grimethorpe Brass Band, Mr Estermann plays in Wingates and Mr Gibbs used to play in Black Dyke and Brighouse and Rastrick.
“We have been given an invitation to Basel and we are looking at having a Christmas concert with the primary school and we are also talking about having a summer band in the playground. The concert was a great experience for both students who played in it and for those who were watching.” – Mr Gibbs
“They sounded amazing from the Sixth Form building and we all wanted to know what was going on. Modern Foreign Languages Faculty Prefect Jenica Shi, Year 11, said: “Many of us gained confidence from speaking with people from Switzerland.” – Elsie, Year 13 Haslingden Sixth Form Student
