After the project I asked the class teachers to allow the students the opportunity to respond to the following five questions in order for me to learn a little about how they had perceived this composing experience.  

1.  What did you think about this music project?

2.  How has it changed the way you think about music?

3.  Has the project helped you to be a better musician?

     If so, how?

4.  What will you remember most about the project?

5.  Anything else...?

ST LEONARD'S  PS


Jason  (Triangle)

1.  It was very good.  It took a lot of hard work, but it was worth the hassle.  I was tired when it was over.  It was an excellent day out. 
2.  It can be to any title and sounds can be made distant by changing note.  It has brought out the music inside of me more than before.
3.  Yes.  I would like an instrument because making music is fun and it brought out the musical part of me father than it was.
4.  Our understanding Robert, and when we played in the Gulbenkian theatre, and the lessons he gave us.  It was my best day in my entire life!
5.  I would like a recording of the music please, and I might get a drum for my birthday.


Edward  (Bongos)

1.  I thought that it was absolutely brilliant.  It was good because our composer didn't have to do it all for us or tell us what to do, or even conduct us.  He just listened to our ideas and told us how to improve them.
2.  Yes, I think so.  I thought it all seemed in the wrong order but our piece turned out all right.
3.  Yes.  I found out that if you think up a load of wacky ideas, try them out and string them together you could make quite a good piece of music. 
4.  I think I will remember being on stage at the Gulbenkian theatre the most.


Laurence  (Rattle and Xylophone)

1.  I think the music was very good and quite scary.
2.  I used to think that music was boring but then Robert made music more fun.
3.  I used to hate music but now I like music.
4.  How Robert used to tell us things you should not do, and how to bow.
5.  I like the bit when the music is quiet and then a big bang came.


Anthony  (Triangle)

1.  I thought that the project was excellent and that people's ideas were good. 
2.  I don't think that it has changed how I think about music.
3.  Yes the project has in fact made me a better musician because I didn't know different ways to play the triangle and know now because of the help of Robert Jarvis.
4.  I will remember how good it was with the ideas.


Mary  (Drum)

1.  I really enjoyed it and think it has started my career as a drummer and think it was brilliant.
2.  No not really.  It has made me think more of authentic instruments.
3.  Yes, I think it has quite a lot but I don't intend to be a musician, sorry.
4.  I think I will remember the sound of the xylophone doing sausages and mash.
5.  I had a great time, thank you Robert Jarvis.


Christina  (Ocean drum)

1.  I think it was excellent and fantastic.
2.  I think it is excellent but I did not know how good it was.
3.  I think I have got better at the ocean drum and I don't know how.
4.  How excellent is music. 
5.  I cannot live without music and thank you for helping us, I will miss you. 


Kayleigh  (Shaker and cymbals)

1.  I think it was scary and frightening.
2.  It has changed me a lot because now I want to be a musician.
3.  It has helped me to be a musician, by getting lots of people and a big stage.
4.  I will remember going to the Gulbenkian theatre in Canterbury.
5.  I will remember you teaching me some music.


Gemma  (Violin)

1.  I thought the music project was absolutely fantastic.  Robert was a fantastic conductor.  He wasn't pushy.  He also got me back into my violin career.  My school was absolutely amazed at our performance in the Gulbenkian.
2.  It has changed my way about music because it was what got me back into playing the violin and it told me that music isn't just for fun, music is also very serious to perform especially at the theatre.
3.  Not really but it has got me back into the violin and it was a great day.
4.  Robert, and all the supporters and Josh playing his bugle.
5.  Yes I would just like to say a big thank you to Robert for being a great conductor and to Rosemary for supporting us if something went wrong.


Emma M  (Rainmaker)

1.  The project was fun and exciting.  I enjoyed it very much.  It made me jump and it was scary at some points.  I loved playing in the group.
2.  I used to think that every moment had to be filled with music, but now I know it is more interesting if you have little pauses.
3.  I think the project has because I now know how to play instruments I never used to.
4.  I will remember the Gulbenkian theatre when we performed on stage in front of everyone.
5.  Robert for teaching us how to play the instruments and coming up with a piece of music.


Beverly  (Ocean Drum)

1.  I thought this music project was excellent.  My favourite part was when everyone jumped.  This may sound mean but I like scaring people.
2.  I thought music like we did was sloppy and pop bands are great, but I like all music now.
3.  Yes, because I know now that I can go with the music so I get my beat right.
4.  The applause was massive and I will remember the part when we scared everyone.
5.  I think Robert was great he helped us so much. So thank you!


Robyn  (Triangle cymbals and xylophone)

1.  I was good and we all had great fun.  I think everyone should do it and they would have fun.  And all the other people who where there had fun as well.  It is brill and you should do it all the time.
2.  It has changed the way I think because it is fun not just playing the guitar and violin all the time. Everything else is fun and cool too.
3.  When you told us it is not what note you play it is what happens after it and that is very helpful.
4.  Robert was the best and be was so good at music as well.


Leigh  (Drums)

1.  I think I enjoyed learning the best way to play each instrument, even listening to other people play their instruments.
2.  I think it hasn't, much.
3.  I have never been a good musician.  I don't think I ever will. 
4.  The theatre, definitely, it was brilliant!


Nicola  (Tambourine)

1.  I thought the music project was great and it helped me with music.
2.  It changed a lot.  I now enjoy music better then any subject.
3.  It has helped me be a better musician, because I did not like music, but now I love music.
4.  I will remember the violin.
5.  The tambourine as well.


Pradita  (Bells and Rainmakers)

1.  I think it was fantastic.  Especially when there was a big sound after the heart beat.
2.  Music can be made on small instruments too. 
3.  Yes, it has.  I didn't know some tricks to play different kinds of music with one instrument.
4.  When Gemma was playing the violin, and the heart beat. 
5. Thanks to you Robert.


Abbie S  (Conductor and Maracas)

1.  I enjoyed it thoroughly and it was a treat experience for me.  I loved making great music and it was good to see my own music and it was good to see it all building up.  The final product was very pleasing.  I liked working with Robert Jarvis as well.
2.  I realise how difficult it is to make music and all the little problems you get and have to solve.  It was good being the conductor and I realise that you have to remember such a lot of things. 
3.  I learnt that you don't just point to people in order, but you have to listen to the music and only point to people when the audience will appreciate it.  It has made me a much better musician/conductor.
4.  I will remember how hectic it was when we went to the Gulbenkian theatre.  I will remember the theatre and all the people that watched us.
5.  I would like to say a big thank you to our composer Robert Jarvis for helping us and giving us inspiration with our music.  He gave us advice and commented on our work.


Abbie D  (Drum)

1.  I thought that it was fantastic.  I had the time of my life.  On the stage my spine was all stiff.  When we stood up to get our applause I felt so proud of myself and my class 6B.
2.  I changed the way I thought about music a lot.  Because now I have learnt how to play the drum properly.
3.  Because when I could not play the drum I was awful, but now I am good.
4.  I will remember the heartbeat I did. 
5.  Gemma's violin was good.


Perry  (Glockenspiel)

1.  I think it was excellent and very scary.
2.  It has changed me a lot.
3.  By listening to music.
4.  When Gemma went wrong.
5.  It was excellent.


Emma B  (Glockenspiel and Maracas)

1.  It was really excellent.
2.  I think I have learnt how to play music.
3.  Yes, because I like the Gulbenkian theatre in Canterbury.
4.  That I now know how to play the cymbals, tambourine and ocean drums.
5.  No.


Ian  (Drum)

1.  I think that the project was good and that you are probably the best composer that we have had. 
2.  It has changed a lot and when I go up to Brockhill I hope we do that again.
4.  Josh played the bugle.


Katy  (Shakers, Tambourine and Metallophone)

1.  It was a really good project to do and I got to know how to be a musician.
2.  A lot better than ever.
3.  Yes it has and I now know to play the instrument. 
4.  The music and the Gulbenkian theatre.
5.  The other schools were good.


Laura  (Rainmaker and Casaba)

1.  I enjoyed working with Robert Jarvis and overall I really enjoyed it.
2.  It changed the way I think about music by Robert teaching us lots of new things.
3.  I have been taught how to play music and not to be too polite when I am conducting.
4.  I will remember playing at the huge Gulbenkian theatre.
5.  I think Robert Jarvis helped us all play better.


Joshua  (Bugle)

1.  I thought it was fantastic and a good chance for me to act out.  I enjoyed it even though it gave me a headache afterwards.
2.  It has changed the way I think about music.  I did not pay much attention to music now I do.
3.  Yes, it has helped be to think more of music. 
4.  I will most remember that it was on my birthday. 


Jamie  (Xylophone)

1.  I thought the music project was fantastic.  If I had the chance I would do it again.
2.  I thought music is just a jumble but it is not, it is interesting.
3.  Yes because before I couldn't play an instrument and now I sorta can.
4.  I remember working with a professional musician and playing the xylophone.
5.  I would like to thank Robert Jarvis for working with us.

SALTWOOD PS


Helen  (Clarinet)

1.  I thought it was very good.
2.  I used to only play with the music in front of me but now I don't.
3.  Yes it has because it has improved my listening skills.
4.  I will remember actually going on the stage and performing and enjoying performing!

Erin  (Recorder, Drum)

1.  It was very exciting fun and good for children our age.
2.  It has made me think about how long the composer takes to write music and how they take so much time over it.
3.  Not much except it has encouraged me to practise more and sit properly.
4.  I will remember the fun of the performing on such a big stage and in front of a big audience.
5.  I really enjoyed it and hope it will happen next year.

Louise  (Trumpet)

1.  I enjoyed taking part in this music project.
2.  Music can be scary.
3.  Yes, it has helped me learn how a piece of music is composed.
4.  I enjoyed working with a composer.
5.  I would like to do it again next year.

Lucy  (Viola)

1.  Fairly Good.
2.  Yes quite a lot.
3.  Yes it has.  It taught me music can be very fun.
4.  The first bit I'll remember most.

Anna  (Viola)

1.  I thought it was a very exciting thing to have done and I was really proud.
2.  I think that it has made me do music a lot more easier.
4.  The bit when we do sliding door.

Isobel  (Wooden Agogo, Cymbals, Glockenspiel)

1.  I thought it was good because we could put our own ideas into the music.
2.  Yes it has changed the way I think about music because there is so much variety of notes to be played.
3.  Yes it has helped me to be better at musician because I now know how you hold the sticks to play the wooden agogo and I liked playing different instruments.
4.  I will remember about the big bang when everyone stays still the most, and playing in front of people.  I was so excited all day.

Lotte  (Metallophone)

1.  I thought it was a great idea.
2.  It hasn't changed the way I think about music.
3.  Yes it has because it's made me think of music from my head.
4.  The four chords I had to play.

Ben  (Euphonium)

1.  I think it's good because it's really fun, and it was my first public performance.
2.  It has changed me because before I was only practising tunes but now I think it as more sound effect like things.
3.  Yes it has helped me, by teaching me different ways of playing the euphonium.
4.  I will remember the first bit when we came onto the stage for the performance.

Harriet  (Viola)

1.  I thought it was really scary on stage but after a few minutes it was fine.
2.  I thought music was a couple of notes.  It is not.
3.  Yes because I learn ways to play the viola.
4.  Probably the other schools on stage.

Jessica  (Viola)

1. It was fun and enjoyable.
2.  I didn't use to like music much but now I like listening to different kinds.  Making music can be really fun.
3.  Yes, it makes me want to practise more.
4.  Performing in the theatre.

Bethany  (Cello)

1.  I found it fun, and you can express yourself and write music.
2.  I used to find music boring but now I find it cool.
3.  I think it has in a way because I'm not scared anymore I want to show my feelings.
4.  Missing maths and English and performing.
5.  I just want to say thanks Robert Jarvis.

Louis  (Flute)

1.  I thought that the music Sounds New was very good because it gave children the chance to go on stage.
2.  Not much at all.  I still like classical music.
3.  I learnt little tips like trill.
4.  When we were practising our conductor kept telling rubbish jokes.
5.  I hope we do it in gold book so my mum and dad can see.

Alara  (Gong, Tambourine)

1.  I thought it was great.  And I hope we can do it again.
2.  Well, it has changed the way I think about music of horror by different kinds of movement like always stopping for a moment and then loud and scary music.
3.  I don't know but in some ways I think it has or not.
4.  I think I will remember everything I learned with Robert Jarvis' help for the gong.