Royal Wootton Bassett Academy students have added a new string to their bow as they learn the violin.
The school identified that many students in Year 7 missed the chance to learn the violin during their later year at primary school due to Covid, so introduced the stringed instrument into the classroom to show them the many benefits of learning a musical instrument.
Teacher of Music at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, Benjamin Bradley, is a violinist himself and has been impressed with the students’ attitude: “Learning to play the violin is challenging, but a challenge that our students have taken in their stride. We have been proud of the determination and focus they have shown as they master this instrument” he comments.
The students have been learning to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and have also been listening to a range of violin and orchestral performances, including Nigel Kennedy.
The violin is one of the many instruments taught at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy. Singing, keyboard, ukulele and pop band instruments are also on the curriculum. “Adding the violin to this long list was definitely ambitious, but it has been so rewarding” explains Benjamin. “One of the best elements has been watching the students perform to each other in class.”
