Educational Outreach

The Whispering Dome is not only a stunning chamber concert in its own right, it can also be expanded to allow both local adult choirs and schools to be involved in singing workshops leading to their taking part in the performance itself.

Children, for instance, get to experience workshops where they practice singing the music of the piece while also learning about the musical instruments, traditions and ecology found on the path of the nightingale’s journey south including:

• La Convivienca in early medieval Spain and the multicultural court of Don Alfonso de Castella

• Berber culture and rituals from Morocco and North Africa

• The Sahara and the Sahel: history, peoples and ecology

• The culture of the Griot, the Kora and courtly music in West African kingdoms

• The extraordinary phenomenon of long distance bird migration (with Birdlife International): success stories of conservation projects protecting migration routes today

Adult choirs (from community choir to semi-pro) can also sing on their own in specific sections of the piece, with repertoire tailored to their ability. They can also join in with the big chorus numbers alongside the instrumentalists, children and other groups.

Workshops led by the Whispering Dome’s musicians, lead this process and all scores and learning files are provided.

Finally other types of performance (dance and poetry) can also be considered if appropriate.