We were delighted to welcome the Dean of Gloucester, the Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, to Barbican House on Saturday 21 October.                                                                          

The Dean, a keen singer whose experience with choirs comes in handy for the sung parts of services at Gloucester Cathedral, met children and staff and joined in with a Singing and Rhythm class.

Dean Andrew enjoyed helping children practise for the end of term Christmas concert through singing at the same time as using Solfa hand-signs, a method for learning the pitch of notes.

The Dean watched our youngest string players, in the String Starters group, begin to learn notes, dynamics and bowing technique through games including ‘hunt the rosin’.

Observing the session led by GAM Principal Glyn Oxley and his teaching team, the Dean said: “I play the piano, but have never played a string instrument, so this is fascinating.”

The Dean spoke to GAM Founder Caroline Lumsden, and chair Viv Hargreaves, before meeting some of the children and adults having individual instrumental and singing lessons. He sat in on the Woodwind Group’s practice and observed a session with our String Ensemble.

Dean Andrew said he looked forward to strengthening links between the cathedral and GAM’s work.

To find out more about our Junior department groups and ensembles, click the ‘more information’ button below.

Photos thanks to: Rob Lacey