Cancionero
Cancionero
Educational Workshops
"The Tudors"
Cancionero can offer workshops specially tailored for Key Stage 2 pupils studying the Tudors.
Anthony Purnell is a history graduate who subsequently trained and worked as a class music teacher. As an experienced performer on harpsichord, lute and recorder he is very well-qualified to present workshop sessions which include instrumental demonstrations and participation in dances of the period.
The workshop divides into 2 sessions: 45 minutes in a classroom and then 30 minutes in a room with space to dance.
The classroom session includes an introduction to the Renaissance discovery of the possibility of building consorts of instruments (a useful illustration of key scientific concepts).
The lute provides an opportunity to discuss the technology of instrument building 
as the children identify the differences between its shape and that of the modern guitar.
A performance of "Greensleeves" provides a chance to talk about Renaissance attitudes to composition and a correction of the mistaken belief that it was written by Henry VIII.
Bowed strings are represented by the rebec and the crwth (after all the Tudors were a Welsh family and proud of it - hence all the dragons at Hampton Court!).
Since there are few surviving instruments from that period modern makers have to rely heavily on pictures. OHP slides from the encyclopedia by Praetorius are used to illustrate this.
Another important issue examined is the role of the 16th century progress in printing music. The children discover why Italian words for dynamics and tempi are so universal in music. OHP slides are used to show their ingenious layout of partsongs.
Then it's time to dance!
The children start by learning to dance a Pavane. This involves learning a little Tudor etiquette and considering how costume affects the way you move. Depending on the amount of space and the number of children this may progress to one of the more elaborate versions taken from the books of the Inns of Court.
To illustrate that dance was not only a formal activity but also fun we then learn to dance a branle or two.
Up to 60 pupils at a time can participate in the dancing if a reasonable size hall is available. Alternatively up to 120 pupils can be given the first session together in a hall followed by two dance sessions for 60 pupils.
The fee depends partly on travelling time but as a guide a costumed 1¼ hour visit in the Maidstone area costs £75; a 1¾ hour visit (2 dance sessions) costs £90.