Handel Hendrix House, the Mayfair museum once home to the baroque composer G.F. Handel and rock legend Jimi Hendrix, has launched a new learning programme for primary and secondary school students.
To celebrate the launch, young musicians from schools in London, Kent and Surrey visited the museum to perform Handel’s Music for The Royal Fireworks in tribute to Handel’s original band of over a hundred musicians which rehearsed in the great composer’s house 275 years ago this year.
Handel Hendrix House cares for and presents to the public the homes of two of the greatest musicians ever to have lived in London. George Frideric Handel lived at 25 Brook Street from 1723 until his death in 1759. It was here that Handel wrote and rehearsed his greatest works, including Messiah. In 1968, Jimi Hendrix moved into an adjoining flat at number 23. Here, in the only place he said he felt truly at home, Hendrix entertained, inspired, and collaborated with other icons of British 60s rock music. Both homes have been meticulously restored and offer an inspiring gateway to London’s musical worlds past and present.
The 100 children were joined by Katherine Jenkins, who added: “It was so special to be a fly on the wall at Handel Hendrix House whilst all of these brilliantly talented children rehearsed The Royal Fireworks. Observing how the legendary composer used his home to play through new works was excellent field research for my involvement in the upcoming Handel biopic The King Of Covent Garden starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and I feel even more inspired having spent time in the space.”
The learning programme offers the choice of self-led school tours aimed at KS2, KS3 and KS4, supporting learning in history and music. Music-focused workshops are also offered, including ‘Two tales of one city – Handel and Hendrix in London’ which explores the music of the 1740s and 1960s for KS1, KS2 and KS3, and a ‘Baroque focus’ for GCSE. These workshops are led by professional performing musicians, playing instruments of the period. Sessions take place across the museum and in a purpose-built learning studio.
Grace Scott-Deuchar, Learning and Communities Manager at Handel Hendrix House, said: “I am thrilled to be launching this new schools programme, offering the opportunity for young people to immerse themselves in our inspiring historic buildings and to go deeper into the stories and musical techniques of some of the most famous music ever written. Today we have brought together 100 young musicians to enjoy the unique experience of playing in Handel’s house and working with brilliant musicians from the Royal Academy of Music. Everyone at the museum is very grateful to the students and their teachers for celebrating the launch with us.”
For more information about the experiences for schools offered at Handel Hendrix House, and to book, please see: https://handelhendrix.org/visit/ks1-2-3-musical-time-travel or contact learning@handelhendrix.org