A round-up of some school trip ideas to inspire musicians and a love of music, from interesting museums to interactive venues.
Learning and playing music helps to provide a rounded education and offers the opportunity for young people to express their creativity. Conservatoire’s, music museums and venues can provide excellent options for educational visits focused on the music curriculum.
Here are some locations to consider…
1. Handel Hendrix House
Handel Hendrix House, the Mayfair museum once home to the baroque composer G.F. Handel and rock legend Jimi Hendrix, has launched a new learning programme for primary and secondary school groups. On offer is the choice of self-led school tours aimed at KS2, KS3 and KS4, supporting learning in history and music.
Music-focused workshops are also offered, including ‘Two tales of one city – Handel and Hendrix in London’ which explores the music of the 1740s and 1960s for KS1, KS2 and KS3, and a ‘Baroque focus’ for GCSE. These workshops are led by professional performing musicians (pictured top), playing instruments of the period. Sessions take place across the museum and in a purpose-built learning studio.
2. The Beatles Story
The Beatles Story in Liverpool offers an educational experience for students of all ages, immersing them in the iconic history and influence of the ‘Fab Four’. School groups can see interactive exhibits, and take part in tailored workshops and hands-on activities in the discovery zone. Designed to inspire, this area features resources like a giant piano, replica NEMs record shop, and reading nook.
Curriculum-linked topics, from music and history to art and business studies, are incorporated to provide a rounded learning experience. The Beatles Story provides an educational experience, tailored to engage and inspire students across a range of ages and learning needs.
3. Horniman Museum and Gardens
Schools can visit the interactive music gallery at the Horniman Museum, London, where more than 1,300 instruments are displayed. Recent collections of instruments from makers in India and the newest collections associated with street bands in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are supported by rich audio and video recordings of performances.
The museum offers hands-on workshops exploring musical instruments from around the world for Early Years, KS1 and K2. A specialist facilitator also delivers gamelan (Indonesian percussion) workshops for KS2-5.
4. St Cecilia’s Hall
Your students can experience the sounds of the past with a visit to St Cecilia’s Hall, Scotland’s oldest concert hall and the home to the University of Edinburgh’s musical instrument museum. Explore the history of musical instruments and learn about some of the more unusual instruments of the past.
School visits are led by experienced curatorial staff and explore a wide range of topics. Each visit includes live demonstrations of instruments in the collection and hands-on activities to allow students to connect the music of the past with today.
5. British Music Experience
Based in Liverpool, the British Music Experience boasts a collection of stage outfits, memorabilia and instruments, charting the beginnings, rise and influence of British pop on art, fashion and even the government from 1945 to the present day.
A trip to the BME includes an interactive workshop, providing opportunities to develop music skills, and a tour of the galleries - both led by one of the Learning Crew.
With over 75 years’ worth of history to draw from, workshops can be tailored to your group’s needs in order to develop an understanding of music history. There is also time in the Gibson Brands Interactive Studio, where each student will have an opportunity to play a variety of instruments.
6. Future Makers at the Royal Albert Hall
This annual concert is designed to support young musicians and inspire pupils to engage with music and develop performance skills. The concert showcases talented young musicians from across London.
Eight acts are chosen to perform in front of a live audience as well as a panel of industry professionals. This high-energy show will get your classes cheering as they experience the thrill of live music at the Royal Albert Hall. Check the website for when auditions open.
7. The Musical Museum
The Musical Museum’s collection of working instruments and interactive exhibits tells the story of how music was recorded and reproduced, from mechanical inventions to the present.
Pupils will find out how music was captured, powered, and experience the sounds and actions of self-playing instruments.
Trails are available for younger visitors, and the museum offers tailored children’s tours with instrument demonstrations including the Wurlitzer organ.
The new Korg Gallery outlines the development of electronic music from the 1960s, with interactive displays and instruments enabling the discovery of iconic sounds behind countless records, film scores, and game soundtracks.
