Using small hand-percussion instruments that he provides, students work ‘like an orchestra’ to compose a piece based on a theme or story they invent.
Lam Sam and the NZSO players then help shape the students’ ideas into musical material, which gets rehearsed and performed by the class.
The schools can also supplement the NZSO instruments with any instruments the students already play.
“This is a unique, hands-on way for students and teachers to connect with their national orchestra,” an NZSO statement said.
“Students will learn how musicians collaborate and discover how composers create music.”
Lam Sam presented workshops last year to 100 students in four Tūranganui-a-Kiwa/Poverty Bay schools.
“Having NZSO players involved really lifts the experience for children as they can see and hear real instruments from the orchestra and even direct the players a bit when it comes to creating their musical piece as a class.”