We had a very special guest visit Brinsworth Whitehill today – Jeff Rich, former drummer of iconic British rock band Status Quo!
Jeff led an exciting and interactive drum workshop for our KS2 children, sharing his passion for music and his extensive knowledge of percussion. He introduced the children to the history of drums, demonstrated a wide range of percussion instruments and even invited students to have a go themselves.
Throughout the session, Jeff spoke about his remarkable career in music, including his time touring the world with Status Quo. He also discussed the different pathways into music, encouraging children to explore their own musical interests and talents. His visit gave us an insight into how a professional musician’s journey can evolve – from global stages to visiting schools like ours to inspire the next generation.
The workshop was a huge success, with our students fully engaged and inspired:
“I loved it! It was great having the chance to play the drums.” – Eva, Y6
“It was amazing and very energetic. It was very cool having a famous drummer in school!” – Elliot, Y3
“I can’t wait to tell my drum teacher I got to play the drums with Jeff Rich.” – Barney, Y6
Mrs Bonnington added:
“What an incredible experience. The children will go home with lasting memories and hopefully there will be some children who go away and learn to play drums or other instruments.”
When asked about his experience, Jeff commented: “The school was excellent. All the children sat lovely, listened and were keen to take part when needed. Staff were also excellent at getting involved. I definitely want to come back here again – a joy to play for!”
Across Wickersley Partnership Trust, music plays a key role in developing creativity, confidence and cultural understanding, with opportunities including classroom learning, specialist tuition, ensembles and live performance. Visits such as today’s drum workshop with Jeff Rich bring this to life, giving pupils direct access to professional musicians and authentic industry experience. These opportunities inspire pupils to develop their talents, broaden their horizons and see music as a potential lifelong opportunity.
A massive well done to all students who took part in the workshop this morning, and a big thank you to Jeff for delivering such an inspiring and memorable experience for us. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
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