Ignite
As part of our outreach work, Wigmore Hall has formed Ignite, an ensemble of professional musicians led by the composer and percussionist Jackie Walduck.
Ignite focuses on devising accessible projects which engage with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. They lead workshops both in the community and at Wigmore Hall.
Ignite use improvisation to create new music. In workshops, this enables the ensemble to experiment with many different musical styles and connect with participants existing musical interests.
Projects include an ongoing programme in St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. Each year, Ignite lead a 15 week programme that reaches over 180 children who have been admitted to hospital. The musician’s improvisational skills enable them to respond in the moment and engage with children despite limitations due to health problems. The workshops provide a positive diversion from the experience of being in hospital, and create opportunities for the children to interact with each other through music.
“The children feel involved in something bigger – it is a break away for the isolated patients, something very different” hospital staff
“It enables even the least able/confident child to become involved” school room teacher
Other recent Learning projects have included:
- a recording project with young people at the Cardinal Hume Centre
- a half-term course in partnership with Serious Music
- workshops for young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, in partnership with Turtle Key Arts and the National Portrait Gallery
Ignite also perform as an ensemble, and have given two performances in the Bechstein Bar at Wigmore Hall and played as part of a Schools’ Concert. Performances have showcased a variety of improvisation and new music, including commissions from Luke Bedford, Steven Warbeck, Joe Cutler, Elspeth Brooke, and an arrangement by Peter Weigold.
- Listen to recordings of Ignite
- Listen to a podcast of their recent interview here with Sandy Burnett.
