Adisham CE Primary School Canterbury introduced to instrument stories by Emma Johnson Music Foundation … sponsored by The Arts Society Canterbury

The Arts Society Canterbury were awarded a Patricia Fay Grant to enable children to experience music from the prestigious Emma Johnson Music Foundation, playing musical instruments seen and heard by some for the very first time, like the bassoon and French horn.  

Key Stage 2 children grasped quickly the rhythms and conducting exercises and learned new musical terms.  Key Stage 1 children responded enthusiastically, correctly assessing the time signature of a song and were interested in the weight and feel of the different instruments.

 “I was especially grateful that the children could experience this magical morning without having to leave school, as the costs of travel are so prohibitive, especially for a small rural school like ours,” said Lizzie Bennett EYFS Teacher. The interactions of the musicians with the children were warm and inclusive and left those with Special Educational Needs spellbound through listening to the live performance.

 Joyous … inspirational … utterly delightful … intriguing … captivating … described this enriching musical experience as the children were able to handle the instruments and ask questions with curious minds. The stories which Emma wove through the sessions were simple and wholesome and kept the children gently engaged and intrigued by the music.

It is with much sadness that we report that previous Treasurer/Chairman Elizabeth Kirkwood died recently.  Elizabeth was a stalwart member of TASC and will be much missed.

Sadly we have to report that our previous Treasurer Eva Lee died recently in the Pilgrims Hospice.  

Eva was our Hon. Treasurer for many years, sitting at the Welcome Desk at the lectures. Her contribution to TASC was immense and she will be greatly missed.

TASC 2023 CHRISTMAS LUNCH

This event will be held at The ARCA Hall on Thursday 14th December from midday onwards.  Lunch will be served at approximately 1.00pm.

The full Menu and Application forms for this event will be available at our September, October and November Lectures.  Tickets will be £25.00 and payment by cheque, BACS or Cash.

Any queries, please get in touch with Su Cumber on 01227 786017, 07791 981132 or su.prospect@btinternet.com

Please note: Closing date for booking your place at our Christmas Lunch is Thursday 30th November.

The Arts Society Canterbury Young Arts 2023 – Music Project

In March 2023, The Arts Society Canterbury (TASC) applied to TAS for a Community Grant of £250, in order to enable St Peter’s Methodist Primary School in Canterbury to purchase music stands.  The music lead at the school explained that she was trying to enable every child at the school to play a musical instrument and to perform in public, but the school did not possess any music stands.  TASC committee were unanimous in wanting to proceed with this project and the Community Grant was duly handed over to the school.

It is exciting to report that 12 very good quality music stands have now been purchased by the school.  All pupils in Key Stages 1 and 2 have been learning to play either the ocarina or the recorder and on 18th July 2023, William Pettit (Chairman of TASC) and his wife, Denise, Miranda Whyte and Lucinda Allen (TASC Committee members), attended an outdoor rehearsal for the end of term concert that the students were due to perform on the following day.  The music stands looked magnificent and are clearly going to be put to very good use at the school in coming months.  The Headteacher, Kristina Dyer, and the Music lead, Sorella Le Var, thanked us for the grant that has enabled them to fulfil their aim to encourage all pupils to perform in public.  We were all very impressed with the standard of the music performed, as we were treated to performances of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and a ragtime piece called Dizzy Bag.

PRESS RELEASE

THE ARTS SOCIETY CANTERBURY (TASC)

50th ANNIVERSARY

Almost 80 members and friends of TASC gathered at the ARCA Hall in Thanington on 15th March for their regular monthly lecture, but this time they were also celebrating a special milestone - 50 years of cultural activity in Canterbury and District.

They were joined by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Anne Dekker and the national Chief Executive of The Arts Society (TAS), Florian Schweizer. Four founder members in attendance plus a dozen or so past chairmen.

Current Chairman, William Pettit, praised the resilience and resourcefulness of the officers and members of TASC in finding ways of keeping the Society going during the pandemic, particularly via the use of Zoom. He added that looking back over 50 successful years, TASC is proud to announce our society is back in business and raring to face the next half century.

These themes were then expanded upon by Florian Schweizer as he praised the Society for its wide-ranging impact on the artistic life of the area, such as offering bursaries to schools and art students.

In proposing a toast to the next 50 years, The Lord Mayor thanked TASC on behalf of the people of Canterbury for providing opportunities to explore and enjoy varying artistic topics. She concluded with a favourite quote from Pablo Picasso “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”.

………

HAPPY NEW YEAR 

All our lectures are being held at the ARCA hall in Thanington Without, Canterbury CT1 3XR. Coffee will be available from 10.15am with the lecture starting promptly at 11am. 

Please book in with our Membership Secretary to come along as a guest - Pauline 07879492158

See you there!

With great sadness we have to report the unexpected death of our Secretary and friend Jill Thomas. Jill joined the Society in 2008, becoming our Secretary in 2017 and later also looked after the website. She was always a very willing and able member of our committee and will be greatly missed.

Pauline