Instant Orchestra Workshop

Play the Indonesian Angklung and make music with 100 other players.

International musicians Nico Brown and Martin Brunsden teach children how to play the Angklung, a percussive instrument from Indonesia.

Children gather to create a dynamic orchestra, a symphony of explosive sound.

Here's what people say about Nico and Martin's workshops

'That was really fun!'
'Something parents and children can enjoy together! Brilliant!'
'Naturally intelligent and musically inspiring'
'Therapeutic and inspiring
'My 2-and-a-half and 4-and-a-half-year-olds loved it, as did the adults'
'The connection with the kids was great'
'Really lovely! A great celebration of the variety of sounds, instruments and imagination'
'So lovely to have some music for children that is not a money-making spin-off from the TV'


Testimonial from Simon Spain, Creative Producer ArtPlay, City of Melbourne
"I worked with Nico and Martin at The Ark in Dublin between 1996 and 2002.  Nico was the musician in residence at The Ark for several years creating and performing a series of magical performances for children and families. Martin is a superb bass player and has appeared on literally hundreds of CD's in Ireland.
 
In my opinion Instant Orchestra is an example of the very best practice in performance for children and families. The session is brilliantly structured, the opportunities for children to play a part (literally) are wonderful and not to mention great fun! These guys really are some of the best in the world for making work with children. Nico has a charming way with children and adults alike, managing to lead every workshop with great freshness and energy.

After their first successful series of workshops at ArtPlay, Melbourne, I wanted them back.  They represent excellence in this sector and I hope you all enjoy them as much as I have."

Things to try

• Play CDs of different styles of Western music such as rock, pop, jazz and classical to start each day
• Listen to instruments from Asian or African musical traditions
• Research the Angklung, Indonesian percussion instrument
• Practice active listening skills - hearing, understanding and responding

Meet the Artists

Nico Brown

Born in 1957, Nico Brown was brought up in London where his primary school music teacher was Ivor Cutler (Buster Bloodvessel on The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour). After working on North Sea trawlers, adventure playgrounds and as a coffee delivery driver he turned to music and theatre. He took a degree in French, married, and moved to Ireland in 1990. He has written, performed and directed music for many theatre companies including Wet Paint, Storytellers, The Abbey and Macnas. Musician-in-residence at The Ark, Dublin, from 1995-2000, he has always specialised in music for children and families, appearing in The Morbegs for RTE, regularly running workshops at the National Concert Hall and touring Irish and international festivals with Seashoreshow.

In partnership with double-bassist Martin Brunsden, he also performs Glee, a participatory concert of original songs and musical activities for families, and Instant Orchestra, which they toured to Melbourne last Christmas with assistance from
Culture Ireland. A multi-instrumentalist, he has played sessions for film, including Mike Leigh's High Hopes, and for artists ranging from Dustin the Turkey to PJ Harvey.

Most recently he has appeared on RTE's Art Factory. He has two daughters and a grandchild and lives in Beara, Cork.

Martin Brunsden

Martin plays double bass and the singing saw and has worked with literally hundreds of musicians, bands, artists, poets and theatre companies. He appears on over 200 recordings, has travelled the world extensively, and is presently living on the majestic North-west coast of Ireland with his family of children, instruments and vegetables.

The last ten years have seen constant touring, numerous performances of interactive musical shows for children at The Ark in Dublin, a residency at Artplay in Melbourne, Australia, many media appearances including The Late Late Show and a steadily growing reputation as an accompanist to some of the cream of Irish and International musicians.
Current and recent projects include engagements with Nico Brown, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Hothouse Flowers, PJ Harvey, and Sinéad O'Connor.

Read more about Nico and Martin.
Check out some of Nico and Martin's workshops:

Students experience the success of cooperation when working together to create sounds with the Indonesian instrument, the Angklung.  Musicians Nico Brown and Martin Brunsden provide inspiration for everyone. An ideal workshop for larger school groups.
Ages 3+
 
Curriculum connections

KLAs The Arts, SOSE
ELAs Active learning process, Imagining and responding

Related topics

• Traditional instruments
• Percussion
• Rhythm and beat

Before

• Play different styles of Western music such as rock, pop, jazz and classical to start each day
• Listen to instruments from Asian or African musical traditions
• Research the Angklung, Indonesian percussion instrument
• Practice active listening skills - hearing, understanding and responding 
   

Meet the artists 

Nico Brown
Born in 1957, Nico Brown was brought up in London where his primary school music teacher was Ivor Cutler (Buster Bloodvessel on The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour). After working on North Sea trawlers, adventure playgrounds and as a coffee delivery driver he turned to music and theatre. He took a degree in French, married, and moved to Ireland in 1990. He has written, performed and directed music for many theatre companies including Wet Paint, Storytellers, The Abbey and Macnas. Musician-in-residence at The Ark, Dublin, from 1995-2000, he has always specialised in music for children and families, appearing in The Morbegs for RTE, regularly running workshops at the National Concert Hall and touring Irish and international festivals with Seashoreshow.

In partnership with double-bassist Martin Brunsden, he also performs Glee, a participatory concert of original songs and musical activities for families, and Instant Orchestra, which they toured to Melbourne last Christmas with assistance from
Culture Ireland. A multi-instrumentalist, he has played sessions for film, including Mike Leigh's High Hopes, and for artists ranging from Dustin the Turkey to PJ Harvey.

Most recently he has appeared on RTE's Art Factory. He has two daughters and a grandchild and lives in Beara, Cork.

Martin Brunsden
Martin plays double bass and singing saw and has worked with literally hundreds of musicians, bands, artists, poets and theatre companies. He appears on over 200 recordings, has travelled the world extensively and is presently living on the majestic North-west coast of Ireland with his family of children, instruments and vegetables.

The last ten years have seen constant touring, numerous performances of interactive musical shows for children at The Ark in Dublin, a residency at Artplay in Melbourne, Australia, many media appearances including The Late Late Show and a steadily growing reputation as an accompanist to some of the cream of Irish and International musicians.

Current and recent projects include engagements with  Nico Brown, Liam Ó Maonlaí,  Hothouse Flowers, P.J.Harvey, and Sinéad O' Connor.

Read more about Nico and Martin.