by Author KatyJackDrum

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The Four Seasons

Jack Drum Arts' Youth Music team took to Hamsterley Forest to facilitate 4 days of sound and story exploration based on the processes of nature.

On Tuesday 21st July the Youth Music team took to Hamsterley Forest to facilitate 4 days of sound and story exploration based on the processes of nature. Over 20 young people took part, including members of ‘Runaway Samba’, ‘Arcanum’, and the ‘Musical Affinity and Beyond’ project.

On Day One we worked with the very knowledgeable Joanne Appleby of OASES (Outdoor and Sustainability Education Specialists http://www.oasesnortheast.org.uk/) to learn all about the ways of the woods, looking the flora and fauna of the forest and the musical properties of wood. We listened to the bees, the birds, the river, and the weather. And the midges. Oh, the midges.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in the great outdoors developing stories and experimenting with soundscapes to create a short piece of drama, movement, and music telling the story of the Four Seasons - Spring in his coloured tailcoat, Summer, radiant in his cloak of fire, thorny-coated Autumn, and snow-capped Winter, all arguing over which of them should go first as the calendar turned. The outdoor performance saw every young person become musician, element, animal, and plant by turns, presenting with humour and showmanship the processes of life, death, and rebirth that make up the bittersweet cycle of life in the forest.

In between rehearsals young people worked towards achieving a Discover or Explore level Arts Award. Older regular sessional attendees supported the Youth Music delivery team as part of their on-going Gold Arts Award portfolios. Huge thanks to those young people – you did yourselves and everyone at JDA proud.

The young people performed twice for parents and the public, including special guests from Pathways Adult Day Centre on Friday 24th July. The weather held fine, the hedgehogs remembered their lines, your music rang out for miles. A wonderful performance by a fantastic group.

Thanks to OASES and everyone at the forest for making the Summer School possible. We couldn’t have asked for a better venue than the great outdoors.