Teachers

Our school was blown away by our day with Toscana Strings. We are a special school and all 180 pupils were completely captivated by the music and ballerina. Thank you so much! - Jackie Swingler

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I booked two concerts, one for KS1, The Snowman, and one for KS2, The Nutcracker. All I had in mind was an opportunity for our children to be part of some stunning, live music. I didn't really know what to expect other than some beautiful musical storytelling. Wow, we were impressed. Both concerts were a huge hit with children and staff alike. The ladies were both professional and personable with the children and we had such a lovely time with them. - Mrs R Lancashire

Toscana Strings visited my school to perform The Snowman for our children and it was brilliant! The children were mesmerised and the staff all really enjoyed it too – Mrs E Vandervelden

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We absolutely loved having you at BPS, it was wonderful to see so many children absolutely captivated! Thank you. – Mrs Page

A fabulous, professional and engaging performance, which captivated the hearts and imaginations of our children. A relevant and informative introduction to the string family through fun, interactive stories. - Ms S Paterson

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The children at Lark Rise had the most amazing day when Toscana Strings visited us and performed their mesmerizing version of Peter and the Wolf. It was fantastic to see the children so engaged and have the opportunity to see such accomplished live musicians as well as a real life ballet dancer all in one go! The uptake for small group peripatetic lessons has risen this year with many of our children wanting to now learn to play the violin which I'm sure was inspired by the visit. All children should get to experience this at least once in their life. - Liz Slough

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Toscana Strings have visited our school on a few occasions now, most recently with their very special performance of Peter and the Wolf with the added magical bonus of their ballet dancer Laura. The children were completely enthralled with the music and the story and were especially delighted to be allowed to participate with their own special movements too! Sophie’s narration meant that the whole thing flowed seamlessly, as well as teaching the children about the instruments and giving them the amazing theatrical experience of professional live music and dance right in front of their eyes. What a great experience that they will remember for a very long time!  - Tessa Shaw

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The story was brought to life by fabulous music and movement, engaging our children and developing their love of hearing books being read aloud, their enjoyment of listening to live music, particularly for them to hear and recognise the differences between string instruments. - Emily Birch

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Our school were simply blown away with the experience. Enjoying Toscana Strings is an experience I’ll never forget, enjoying the music and artistry of ballet so close, so I can only imagine the experience for our children. Thank you Toscana Strings. - Zoe Richardson

 

Parents

Toscana recently visited my son’s school in Malvern. My son has something called Kat6a so has certain learning challenges but loves his music so much! He hasn’t stopped talking about their visit and the music they played. He absolutely loved every minute. As a mum and a musician myself I am absolutely thrilled Toscana are doing what they are doing and so very impressed! Absolutely fantastic guys and may you carry on the brilliant work you are doing - Lynette Webster

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My 6 year old daughter saw you perform the nutcracker at LHPA and came home absolutely raving about it! She loved it, thank you for inspiring her! – Ash Louvieris

 

Children

It was magical that the ballerina danced through the story and we saw how all the string instruments were playing together. I didn’t realise music could be used to tell a story because I haven’t heard anything like that before. - Evie

 

 

The following are quotes from children, teaching assistants and teachers from Priory School, Slough.

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Year 1 TA: “When we were watching them playing the instruments and listening to the music play, it made me want to watch an orchestra next!”

Year 1 TA: “I liked the children’s participation. The ballerina was really interactive with the story, visually, making it really good for the children.”

Year 1 child: “I liked it because the duck got eaten and that was funny, and I can’t believe he stayed alive!”

Year 2 teacher: “I really liked the combination of the music and the ballet dancer. It was spectacular, I didn’t want it to end!”

Year 2 teacher: “I liked seeing people playing the instruments. It was really interesting seeing them play. I was really impressed with how the children were so engaged, especially with the ballet dancer.”

Year 2 child: “I thought it was funny at the great granddad part. I liked it, it was really funny.”

Year 2 child: “I think it was fantastic the way we were allowed to join in at the end.”

Year 2 child: “The music was so beautiful.”

Year 2 child: “It was good. It had lots of themes. I liked that all the characters had different bits of music for them.”

Year 2 child: “I liked how we danced. The funny one was when the grandpa wagged his finger!”

Year 2 child: “– I liked how the wolf mask was. It was very funny when she kept coming towards everyone and I liked how she kept changing the masks and wings. I liked the music for different characters”

Year 3 child: “I enjoyed seeing the instruments up close and the ballerina joining in, so whenever the piece of music was on, she was there as well.”

Year 3 child: “The best thing was it was fun. I was a duck and they were funny. I liked joining in.”

Year 3 child: “I liked the ballerina and all the moves she did. I liked how they were reading the story and how she was changing the outfits.”

Year 3 child: “I really liked when we were the grandpa. It was very funny!  I want them to come again next year!”

Year 3 child: “I liked how they involved us rather than us just watching it.”

Year 3 child: “I really liked that the ballerina danced because she brought the story to life.”

Year 3 child: “I really liked the tune that the people were doing because it really matched the concept.”

Year 3 child: “I really liked how the dancer was telling the story with her dance moves because it really helped me picture it in my head.”

Year 4 child: “I liked when the people who were playing music, they were telling the story while telling the sounds of the story.”