“Curriculum- enhancing, deeply enriching; Christine cannily blends enormous fun with hard work and trusted the children with ownership of their project…”

“Working with Christine has enabled our pupils to further develop their skills for life, learning and work.  We have had the opportunity to collaborate, design, apply and create through writing songs linked to our topic work and record a CD and produce a book of our songs.  All our experiences have enabled us to gain greater depth and breadth and work towards achieving our full potential through the four capacities”. Angela Gourlay, Principal Teacher, Strathmore Primary, Angus.

“Christine Kydd’s traditional song project at Strathmore Primary was funded by Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative.  It was clear that from ideation to making a CD and the final performance, the children and staff at Strathmore Primary, guided by Christine, had a deeply enriching music and Scots Language experience. Christine cannily blends enormous fun with hard work and trusted the children with ownership of their project which they relished.  In terms of Curriculum for Excellence there was total engagement from the children in terms of higher order thinking skills, creativity and active learning.  'Skills for learning, life and work' was a key player in its success. We look forward to seeing more of Christine’s work in Angus.”
Jerry Randalls, Music Support Officer, Angus Council Education Development Service

Dunottar Primary, Aberdeenshire
"Looking forward to having you back next session" (Claire Scott, Depute Head)

“Amazing what you can do in an hour!", “It was a difficult topic but it worked out really well".... "It's amazing how it comes together in the end"

Strathmore Primary School, Angus
“It’s brilliant! ……thoroughly enjoys the sessions. He is completely focused and maintains eye contact during songs.” “I never sang in class to or with the kids, but I do now.” “The children enjoy taking part and singing their own songs”

....“One child, who is generally quiet, sang the loudest and had a ball! “

Fun, creative and curriculum- enhancing
Songmaking in Schools involves pupils in  participating together to create and develop songs on any topic while exploring language in English and Scots. Singing and performing the songs they have written, children fulfill the experiences and outcomes targets in curriculum areas. One of Scotland's best- known traditional singers and most experienced freelancers for over 20 years in school and community, Christine can work with most topics as well as Scots Language and Culture and Heritage. Recent projects in Highland , Perth and Kinross, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Orkney Council areas  include 'On the Hoof' Scottish Travellers- Horsecross (with Ewan McVicar)  'Songs of Burns', 'Homecoming' ,  Coastal project for Stonehaven Maritime Institute; 'Highland Clearances'  for Timespan, Helmsdale (enhanced larger exhibition) 'Fair Trade', and 'Local Studies', and ‘The Boy’s Ploughing Match’, Orkney, and ‘Rights Respecting Schools’.

Christine  is an experienced freelance songwriter delivering projects including those funded by SAC  (Creative Scotland) and LTS. A trustee of New Makars Trust, she has almost 20 years of experience in facilitating songmaking in schools and community using resources including existing project work, drawing from the rich and varied traditions of Scotland and beyond.  Pupils and teachers have a sense of achievement, ownership, and benefit from new songmaking and singing skills, which can potentially be further developed by all teachers.

Projects can be tailored to suit.
This model works best with P 5-7, but Christine has experience of working with children of all ages and abilities. One- day delivery to two classes (one before break, one after), with a ceilidh/ sharing in the afternoon. This can either involving the two classes or the rest of the school as singing audience). An option on recording the songs for later use is possible.

Longer projects allow for an enhanced experience, creating, learning and rehearsing more songs, developing skills in smaller groups and individually, creating artwork to illustrate the songs, performances. On 3 to 6 day projects, some schools produce CDs as enterprise projects and the songs the children create are performed at assembly, seasonal or special events and celebrations.

Examples of topic areas which could and have been used for songmaking projects are 'Our Village', 'Robert Burns', 'Scottish Identity', a 'Sense of Place', Technologies, Social History, using Reminscence work from the community, Weaving, Fishing, the Land, Slavery, the Victorians, but the possibilities are literally endless, including creating songs for a local celebration, custom or event, or linking into the Calendar.

Workshop fees  (the day includes 2 workshops and a performance) are negotiable local to her base in Angus, and on longer projects. Cluster and Small School Deals also are available. Travel over a 60 mile radius from Angus would require expenses at a negotiable rate.

For bookings/ information, please contact Christine at Ceilidhmakers:
07808588545,
scotsvoice@christinekydd.
Christine Kydd Music Services,
P.O. BOX 23163 ANGUS DD8 4Y