Draycott ‘Raise the Roof’ with Samba Sessions

By Sam Kail-Dyke – the Wessex Learning Trust

On Thursday 24th June 2021, the children of Draycott and Rodney Stoke CE First School were treated to an incredible visit by samba drumming group ‘Jamma de Samba‘.

The group ran sessions will all three classes which saw the children getting hands on with instruments including drums and shakers, and learning to play pieces through techniques such as ‘call and response’ and improvisation.

The members of Jamma de Samba also demonstrated techniques and pieces to the children, who were astounded by the complexity and range of sounds the group could make on their instruments.

After their day of learning and practising their new-found talents, the children impressed their parents in the school playground with an inspiring ‘alfresco’ concert at pick-up time. 

Headteacher at Draycott and Rodney Stoke, Will Ewens, said:

“This was an incredible opportunity for our children, and I am so proud that they have been able to interact with these exceptional musicians and learn some amazing new skills. The sound of drums has quite literally been echoing around the village thanks to Jamma de Samba, and we hope this experience will inspire our children to explore their musicality further and continue to enjoy all the benefits it brings.”

Will Ewens – Headteacher

Music is a really important part of children’s education and development, and opportunities such as these are so inspiring for the children that we are incredibly proud to see them starting up once again. We truly can’t wait to see the next generation of Phil Collins, Evelyn Glennie, and Ringo Starr emerge from our schools!

Check out the clip below to see what the Pre-School and Reception children got up to with Jamma de Samba: