Last Friday, our Year 7 pupils were treated to an inspiring djembe drumming workshop led by Hazlegrove cello teacher and djembe specialist, Chris Hurn, alongside Victoria Gater. The day was filled with energy, creativity, and collaboration, offering pupils a memorable hands-on musical experience.

Chris and Victoria delivered an incredible performance in our Celebration Assembly, instantly capturing the attention and imagination of the children. Their expertise and enthusiasm set the tone for a series of engaging sessions in which every Year 7 pupil had the opportunity to learn and perform traditional djembe rhythms.

We were particularly impressed by the superb focus, enthusiasm, and contributions from all involved. The children embraced the challenge with confidence, showing excellent listening skills, coordination and teamwork as they built layered rhythms together. It was wonderful to see such positive engagement and musical growth in such a short space of time.

Staff supporting each class also commented on how much they enjoyed the experience, sharing in the excitement and celebrating the pupils’ achievements throughout the day.

This workshop provided a fantastic opportunity to explore music from another culture while building confidence, communication, and performance skills. We are incredibly grateful to Chris Hurn and Victoria Gater for delivering such an enriching experience.

Thank you to everyone involved for making this such a successful and unforgettable day!