Charlie completes family quartet
Music-making has become a family affair at Central Warwickshire Music Centre.
Three members of Gallan family of Burton Green have been taking a bow each as the youngest members have taken up a string instrument.
They all play at the centre, which is held at Park Hill School in Kenilworth every Monday evening and run by Warwickshire County Council’s County Music Service.
Oldest sister Holly was the first to take the plunge, and started learning the violin a few years ago. She went through the Junior Strings group now attended by cellist Imogen, aged ten, and viola player Charlie, aged seven.
Because Charlie was so young when he started group playing, his mother Anna, also a musician, has been coming along and helping him. Although a flute player herself, Anna has learned lots about the viola and strings in general.
She said: “We’ve got quite a string quartet going at home! Once Holly started learning and was practising and taking part in groups I think it stimulated the interest among the others. The children all have individual lessons but it is important to learn to play in groups as well and we all really enjoying coming to the music centre.”
Junior strings meets on Mondays from 3:45 to 4:35pm, run County Music Service teachers Katrin Gilbert and Joe Walton.
Besides learning how to play in ensembles, children also learn general musical skills and social skills, through weekly games and playing. The group is especially fortunate to have a huge cello section this year.
Junior Strings is one of many free activities available to CMS and other pupils across the county. For more information call 07901 700008 or visit http://www.musicforlife.net