When I first began teaching music in Anguilla, it was as a volunteer at the then West End Primary School having fun with Teacher Emma’s Kindergarten class every Wednesday morning. Although I had trained and worked as a teacher in Canada many years ago, it had been a long time since I had been in the classroom. It felt wonderful to be back and I loved the children. The best part was that it was felt they were learning to focus and perform better.

Teacher Judy with students at The Valley Priamry School

After several years, I was hired by the Education Department as a Music Facilitator and I now travel to all the Primary Schools on a regular basis teaching classes from Kindergarten to Grade 4.

The sessions provide Motivation, Understanding Stimulation In Class and as a result makes learning full of life----- Lively Interesting Full of fun and Enthusiasm. We engage in a variety of activities, beginning with some stretching and deep breathing exercises to echo clapping, singing, games and activities, learning new songs. Grades 3 and 4 are becoming adept at singing ‘rounds’! During our February classes, I listened to each child as he or she sang to me in order to help the very few who are not yet singing in pitch. The majority of children can sing very well.

Teacher Judy with students at The Valley Priamry School

A wonderful part of the development of our program has been the use of percussion instruments in a circle setting, also known as a ‘drum circle’. We create improvisational music with drums, tambourines, shakers and wood instruments and the emphasis is on listening to each other and the group as a whole. This has been very successful and the children enjoy these instruments and the joy of making music together.

I feel blessed to work with my beautiful students. I also feel very lucky to teach music…. It touches all hearts and, in school, it is a subject that provides many windows of opportunity to talk about life values and caring for each other. If you were to ask any of my students “Where do peace and love start?” you will hear a lovely, resounding “Right Here! Right Now!” These children inspire me every day.

Diane Norris (left) and Teacher Judy

But what a blessing it was to receive a gift of large drum circle kit consisting of about twenty-five different musical instruments form Dianne Norris. Dianne visited one of the music sessions and was very impressed with the ability and creativity of the students and, of course, she observed that the instruments being used (some of them improvised, like the water jugs for drums) were showing the effects of their use. The Department of Education expresses sincere thanks to Dianne for this generous gift.

The music sessions have had a tremendous effect on the students so that at Valley Primary, and at Orealia Kelly Primary School, my former students (Grades 5 and 6) have ‘demanded’ that I do “lunch-time drum circles” with them, and of course I have acceded to their request. What fun we have while learning.
My sincere hope now is to discover some other people who love children and music and who want to learn how to do this very rewarding work.
Contributed by Judy Guthrie - Music Facilitator in the Primary Schools

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