Wed 13 Oct 2021
Pitch Perfect High Sheriff
The County High Sheriff uses the Tonic Sol-fa pitching system with a pupil at GAM. 
County High Sheriff Jane Tufnell using the Tonic Sol-fa hand signs with tutor Tim Keasley and pupils at GAM. The County High Sheriff with Junior students. 
Junior students watched by the County High Sheriff. 
County High Sheriff watches the Intermediate Orchestra members.
County High Sheriff Jane Tufnell was pitch perfect when dropped in on a singing and rhythm session at Gloucestershire Academy of Music.
As a singer, she found no problem using hand signs with the Tonic Sol-far system and enjoyed interacting with youngsters as they attended their Saturday sessions at the academy’s Barbican House base in Gloucester.
Her visit gave artistic director Glyn Oxley the chance to demonstrate the range of music activities provided by the academy for more than 2,000 children from age 3 upwards. The High Sheriff saw complete beginners learning to play violins and cellos, as well as more advanced pupils perform in the junior and intermediate orchestras.
“I had such a lovely time at the academy seeing all those little faces learning so much through the joy of music well taught,” she said.
Pupils were unfazed by their important visitor who showed her full support for the academy as plans take shape for its momentous 40th anniversary in 2022. A series of gala concerts are to be held featuring some of GAM’s illustrious alumni, including String Fever and the Carducci Quartet. The academy is planning to put down permanent roots at its base near Gloucester Docks.
Photos: Rob Lacey
Editor’s Note:
Gloucestershire Academy of Music (GAM) is a registered charity which has offered an exceptional level of professional music tuition in an informal and friendly atmosphere for 40 years. We create musical opportunities for all ages and abilities, from individual music lessons and group sessions to performances, courses, workshops and masterclasses. We encourage members of the community, from the very old to the very young, to love music and through it, to develop and thrive in a diverse and inclusive atmosphere. Our home is Barbican House in central Gloucester near the regenerated docks and we have a branch at Dean Close School, Cheltenham.
We offer bursaries to any individuals or families needing help with tuition and details are on our website and https://www.glosacadmusic.org
Contacts:
Viv Hargreaves: GAM chair viv@glosacadmusic.org (07740 448262)
Glyn Oxley: GAM Artistic Director glyn@glosacadmusic.org (07913 036372)
Kirsty Winnan: GAM Executive Director kirsty@glosacadnmusic.org (07846 956698)
