A JAZZ day at Dunhurst, Bedales’ Preparatory School, saw four schools from the South East come together for a lively workshop on the theme of ‘Beethoven meets Ellington’.

Pupils ranging from year four to year six came together last week to experiment with improvised as well as devised pieces by Duke Ellington, the master of the big band and avant-garde composer, and classics by Beethoven.

The music department at Dunhurst opened its doors to pupils from Sheet Primary School near Petersfield, Camelsdale Primary in Haslemere, Oakwood School in Chichester, and Ravenscourt Park in London.

After the workshop, pupils put together a show from all they had learned and performed in front of an audience of parents and staff.

Ben Harlan, head of music at Dunhurst in Steep, said: “Music is central to daily life at Dunhurst and our jazz day aims to immerse pupils in a diverse mix of sounds and experiences.

“We spent the day learning and breaking musical rules, creating new and beautiful music, and generally having lots of fun!”