The secondary school project
consists of two elements.
Firstly, a concert by the Mini BSO which lasts about an
hour. The programme includes instrument demonstrations
which focus on how to write for the different
instrumental families. The centre piece of the
performance is a work commissioned by Southampton Music
Services and the BSO Education Department for the group
by Stephen McNeff. This highlights every instrument in
the group by using a particular composition technique
for each one. Minimalism, Neo Classicism, Serial, Jazz,
Film Music, Fugue are all covered.
The second element begins with a short masterclass on a
compositional technique, such as minimalism, using the
Mini BSO as a compositional tool. This audience is then
divided into three groups, each group working with
musicians from the Mini BSO to compose music based on
the compositional theme chosen. The session finishes
with a presentation of work.
It is common for the Mini BSO to return to the school
at a later date to record works written for either the
whole group or individual musicians from it. These can
then be used for the students' composition element of
the appropriate qualification. Please email for more
information.
You can hear segments from the Bitterne Variations
below:
