Music lesson at Empingham Church offers a memorable way for Rutland and Stamford pupils to learn
Pupils enjoyed a music lesson to remember thanks to an amazing instrument and setting.
Musician Jeremy Sampson led sessions for schools throughout Friday last week at Empingham church.
Children from Empingham Primary School and Casterton College were among those who visited, along with Jes Salt, the associate priest for Rutland Water benefice, and Rutland High Sheriff David Wood.
The church - already home to a historic organ - was joined by Jeremy’s Woofyt a ‘wooden, one-octave organ for young technologists’. Using this, Jeremy demonstrated how an organ produces sounds using air from bellows that resonates to produce a particular note governed by the length of pipe.
As pupils worked the bellows, others operated valves on the Woofyt to play the tunes Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Happy Birthday.
They were also shown the internal workings of the main church organ, and left to the sounds of the Harry Potter theme, which Jeremy played on the church organ.
More sessions have been arranged for children in Years 5, 6 and 7, with dates available in February, March and May. Bookings can be made through church warden John Haward by emailing john.haward@empingham.org.uk