Bringing African Music to Life at NRHS

As part of our Black History Month celebrations, pupils at New Rush Hall School enjoyed a fantastic African drumming workshop delivered by Aroko Drumming. From our youngest primary pupils through to Year 11, every class had the opportunity to experience African music, learn about traditional instruments and try their hand at playing the drums.

The workshops took place in our Key Stage 4 Hub and our specially decorated Black History Month marquee, which has been transformed into a space for pupils to enjoy a range of cultural activities throughout October.

During the sessions, pupils were introduced to different African instruments and learned about the sounds and rhythms they create. Before long, everyone was getting involved, playing the drums together and trying to keep in time with one another. There was plenty of laughter and excitement as pupils experimented with different rhythms, with some even getting up to dance along to the music!

What made the workshops particularly enjoyable was how well pupils responded to the experience. The presenters were fantastic, creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere that encouraged everyone to get involved at their own pace. It was lovely to see pupils of different ages enjoying the same experience, with many showing real enthusiasm and confidence as the sessions progressed.

One pupil summed up the experience perfectly, saying, “This was really, really fun!”

The drumming workshop is just one part of our wider Black History Month celebrations. This Thursday, pupils will welcome the same company back for an African storytelling and dance workshop, giving them another opportunity to explore African culture through creativity and performance. These experiences will then lead into our Black History Month carnival the following week, bringing together the music, movement and cultural learning pupils have enjoyed throughout the month.

Experiences like these are an important part of life at NRHS. They give pupils opportunities to explore different cultures, discover new interests and develop confidence through activities they might not otherwise experience. Learning to play together also encouraged pupils to listen, cooperate and celebrate what they could achieve as a group.

It was a brilliant day filled with music, laughter and plenty of drumming, and a wonderful way to continue our Black History Month celebrations. We are already looking forward to seeing what pupils make of the storytelling and dance workshops next!