Thomas Gregory

Presentation #1: Playing Together: How learning in groups can offer the best start for beginners

Many teachers are daunted at the prospect of teaching string instruments in groups. There is the fear that energy will be spent managing unruly children instead of honing technique; that standards will be sacrificed at the alter of inclusion. In this workshop I aim to confront these fears and demonstrate how a group environment, with a skilled teacher, is the happiest and healthiest way for a child to start learning an instrument. We will explore simple techniques to teach complex skills in a class setting. With music-making as the primary focus, we will explore how to establish good physical habits including how to hold the bow, as well as critical skills like note-reading. We will examine ways to enable and encourage students to practise, with or without parental assistance. When delivered skilfully, it is possible to achieve high standards whilst maintaining order and discipline in any classroom setting. This approach can not just be effective, but highly rewarding for both teacher and student alike.

Key areas for consideration:
Installing good habits; set-up routine
Pace and variety
Managing expectations
Focussing on specific tasks
Music-making as the primary objective
Inclusion

Delegates are encouraged to bring their instruments to this workshop.

Presentation # 2: Improvisation for beginners
Incorporating improvisation into teaching programs right from the start

Improvisation can offer the opportunity for free expression; a chance for the inner musician to find a voice, unencumbered by technical demands. But equally, it can present a terrifying fear of the unknown. When string players spend so much of their professional life reading from a score, the prospect of improvising often feels alien, and so it is not uncommon to neglect this creative discipline in the teaching studio.

In this practical workshop we will explore simple ways to introduce improvisation into string lessons from the very beginning, whether in a group or an individual setting. We will discover the advantages of incorporating improvisation into lesson plans and how these skills can impact students of all backgrounds, whether working in the classical tradition or not. We will examine the benefits to students who lack confidence in note-reading and uncover the role that improvisation plays in sight-reading, composition and theory.

We may even discover how to confront our own fears of improvising, and how exploring it further with our students can improve us as both teachers and musicians.

Activities will include:
A summary overview – What is improvisation? How is it a useful skill? Why is it often neglected?
Sample lesson exercises for the beginner
How to develop skills further to align with improved technical skill
Ideas on how to incorporate improvisation into an ensemble setting
Discussion/questions/feedback

Delegates are encouraged to bring their instruments for this practical workshop.

Presentation #3: Thomas Gregory will also be part of a composition workshop.

About Thomas Gregory

Thomas Gregory is a prolific composer of educational music and is most recognised for his Vamoosh series for young instrumentalists. He has over two decades of experience teaching string instruments to beginners in groups, conducting amateur and youth orchestras and leading and coaching chamber groups. He studied the cello at the Guildhall School of Music in London, and the University of Michigan where he attained his Masters. He was recently honoured with an award by the European String Teachers Association UK in recognition of distinguished services to string teaching. Thomas is currently based in London UK, but is often traveling and delivering workshops.