Stick 2 performs professional percussion workshops for children throughout the primary age range for all progression steps. The focus is on the Expressive Arts area of learning as set out in the Curriculum for Wales. All of the workshops engage, motivates and encourages the children to develop their creative and performance skills. Stick 2 understands that through engaging with the Expressive Arts, learners can gain an understanding and appreciation of cultures and societies from all over the world and in Wales.
Stick 2 is passionate about expanding the horizons of all children and wants to make the Expressive Arts accessible to all. Stick 2 brings expertise as an external practitioner into the classroom and helps support the teaching of the Expressive Arts. The price of the workshops are affordable to schools when budgets can be tight. The Arts Council of Wales has a funding opportunity called “Have a Go” which could help with the cost of the workshops. https://arts.wales/funding/get-started/creative-learning-funding
Stick 2 Percussion Workshop is an introduction to the percussion family of instruments. The children will learn about the many different instruments that make up the percussion family and how their sound is made. From the Marimba, Snare drum and Cymbals to the Tambourine, Triangle and Flexatone, the children will see all the instruments live and will participate in a “fun” body percussion piece. The workshops are designed for all progression steps.
Package 1
Two one hour workshops that can be split between different progression steps or classes. The children will watch Stick 2 perform the workshop and learn how musicians communicate ideas through playing using various pitch, tempo and dynamics. The children will also participate in a “fun” body percussion piece.
Package 2
As package 1 but with four one hour workshops that can be split between progression steps or separate classes. These sessions enable children to engage with and enjoy music making. The children will also participate in a “fun” body percussion piece.
Stick 2 Composition
One workshop as described in Package 1 with an additional themed composition workshop for the remainder of the day. This wonderful package is adaptable to any theme or inquiry and makes a great addition to an end of topic performance. The children will share what they have learned and Stick 2 will guide and support the children to compose and perform their very own musical masterpieces using percussion instruments. Previous example of this workshop includes musical response to poems and stories, “A Journey Through Wales”, musical response to a film, various geographical locations e.g beach, rainforests, and periods of history e.g Victorians, Celts, Tudors and the Coal Mines.
Price guide
Package 1 - £130
Package 2 - £190
Package 3 - £210
Stick 2 Samba offers all primary school children the experience of the music of a Brazilian Carnival. The children will take part in a fun, hands on workshop learning about a Brazilian Carnival. They will perform a Samba using different types of Samba percussion instruments and playing various rhythms and patterns that make Samba so vibrant and exciting.
Package 1
These taster workshops are an introduction to a Brazilian samba band. The children will learn all about the role of a Samba band within a carnival and learn how to play all the different types of percussion instruments found in a Samba band. All Samba taster workshops are 1 hour long and cater for 1 class in each workshop (approx. 30 children).
Price guide
2 classes £100
3 classes £150
4 classes £190
Additional days may be added if needed to involve more classes.
Package 2
A 6 week course consisting of 6x 2 hour sessions which can be for 1 class or split between 2 classes.
Over the 6 week course the children will learn contrasting rhythms and patterns that are played in different sections of a Samba Band. They will link actual playing and dance to produce, in the sixth session, an exciting Brazilian Samba Band performance for other children at your school or for parents to enjoy.
Price guide
£600
Stick 2 African drumming is an introduction workshop to African music. For all Progression Step classes the children will take part in a fun, hands on workshop learning about African drumming. Each child will have their own African drum that they will learn to play during the workshop.
Package 1
All African drumming workshops are 1 hour long and cater for 1 class in each workshops (approx 30 children)
Price Guide
2 classes £100
3 classes £150
4 classes £190
Additional days may be added if needed to involve more classes.
Package 2
A 6 week course consisting of 6x 2 hour sessions which can be for 1 class or split between 2 classes.
Over the 6 week course the children will learn contrasting rhythms and patterns that are played in African music. In the sixth session, an exciting African drumming piece can be performed for other children at your school or for parents to enjoy.
Price guide
£600
Stick 2 Trashin’ the School are fun junk percussion workshops for progression step 2 and 3 children. Stick 2 will spend a day working with a class putting together a piece to perform entirely using junk materials as instruments. From using brushes, pots and pans, milk bottle shakers, dust bins and even a kitchen sink, the children will learn to play a fun and crazy junk percussion piece. This is perfect for Eco or Sustainability themes or inquiries. At the end of the day the class will then perform the piece in front of the rest of the school.
Price Guide
Full day with 1 class
£195
1 hour workshops with different classes
2 classes £120
3 classes 160
4 classes £195
Additional days may be added if needed to involve more classes.
Stick 2 Drumming All Over The World is a fun, full of facts workshop about drums from all over the world. During the 1 hour workshop the children will learn about the countries the different drums come from, how the drums are used and the different styles of music. The children will get the experience of seeing live drums from Ireland, Japan, India and more. There will be opportunities for the children to have a go at all the instruments. The workshops are fun, hands on and will help develop the key skills of the the Expressive Arts curriculum, as well as covering other parts of the curriculum such as Humanities.
Price Guide
2 one hour workshops £100
3 one hour workshops £150
4 one hour workshops £190
Stick 2 Cymru is an enjoyable and interesting Expressive Arts percussion performance based on the music of Wales for all progression step classes . All the music has been written by composers and artists from Wales and will be performed on the Marimba. It will give the children the opportunity to learn all about the artists and composers that have been so influential in putting Wales on the musical map. From Tom Jones to Karl Jenkins and from Goldfinger, Sosban Fach to the Welsh National anthem the children will take a tour of Wales and hear many Welsh pieces being performed live. The children will learn about the history of the Leek, Daffodil and the Welsh flag and why they are so important to Wales. Ideally included during a Cynefin themed topic or inquiry.
The workshops will give the children the experience of seeing live percussion instruments that they may have never seen, all while learning about the music and culture of Wales.
Price Guide
2 one hour workshops (2 classes) £130
4 one hour workshops (4 classes) £190
Stick 2 Christmas is a 1 hour long workshop where the children will take part in a fun Expressive Arts Christmas theme workshop, demonstrating all the different types of percussion instruments and how their sound is made. The workshops will include many of the favourite Christmas songs which the children can sing, dance, and play along with. The history of the Christmas tree will be explained as well as different Christmas traditions from all over the world. All songs will be performed on different tuned instruments in the percussion family and the children will have many opportunities to see and hear percussion instruments they might have never seen live before.
These workshops promise to bring a very Christmassy feel to the most exciting time of the year, and of course there will be lots of sleigh bells used too.
Price Guide
2 one hour workshops (2 classes) £130
4 one hour workshops (4 classes) £190
Contact Us
The workshops can be tailored for all your school needs and weekly workshops are also available for PPA cover.
For more information or to discuss specific requirements please contact : -
07711 265412
Email - stick2@hotmail.co.uk
Twitter - @stick2perc
Facebook - stick 2
Instagram - stick2perc
Stick 2 is fully DBS checked and has Public Liability Insurance.
Unfortunately due to the increase in petrol prices, travel expenses might be charged over a certain distance.
Testimonials
Rhys Davies, Pennaeth Ysgol Gymunedol Cae’r Felin ag Ysgol Brynsaron
Stick 2 Percussion has been an incredibly valuable experience for our pupils, offering them an exciting and hands-on approach to music education. The sessions captivated students of all abilities, building not only their drumming skills but also their confidence, teamwork, and creative expression. It was inspiring to see our pupils engaged so enthusiastically, learning rhythm and percussion techniques while developing essential skills that extend beyond music.
The workshops align perfectly with the Expressive Arts AoLE of the Curriculum for Wales, emphasizing creativity, collaboration, and personal growth. This experience has laid a strong foundation for further exploration in the performing arts and has inspired many of our pupils to pursue their interests in music.
Mae gweithdai ‘Stick2 Percussion’ wedi bod yn brofiad hynod werthfawr i’n disgyblion, gan gynnig dull cyffrous ac ymarferol o addysg gerddoriaeth. Llwyddodd y sesiynau i ddal sylw disgyblion o bob gallu, gan ddatblygu nid yn unig eu sgiliau taro ond hefyd eu hyder, gwaith tîm a’u mynegiant creadigol. Roedd yn ysbrydoledig gweld ein disgyblion mor frwdfrydig, yn rhythm yn datblygu sgiliau hanfodol sy’n mynd y tu hwnt i gerddoriaeth.
Mae’r gweithdai’n cyd-fynd yn berffaith gyda Maes Dysgu a Phrofiad y Celfyddydau Mynegiannol yng Nghwricwlwm Cymru, gan bwysleisio creadigrwydd, cydweithredu a thwf personol. Mae’r profiad hwn wedi gosod sylfaen gadarn ar gyfer archwilio’r celfyddydau perfformio ymhellach ac wedi ysbrydoli llawer o’n disgyblion i ddilyn eu diddordebau mewn cerddoriaeth.
Depty Head YG Y Login Fach
Our pupils absolutely loved the ‘Drumming Around the World’ workshop. It was an engaging and exciting experience and the pupils were captivated by the variety of instruments from different countries, and they had so much fun learning about the roots of drumming. Gareth was fantastic—enthusiastic, patient, and able to connect with every child. The hands-on activities boosted the pupils’ confidence and also encouraged creativity. A brilliant workshop that is both educational and so much fun. Highly recommended to any school looking to inspire pupils and gain experiences in Expressive Arts. Can’t wait for a return visit. Diolch yn fawr.
Head Teacher Gwaunfarren Primary School
We were thrilled to have Gareth from Stick 2 run a range of workshops at our school, and what a fantastic experience it was! The sessions were absolutely excellent, thoughtfully adapted for all children across different age groups and abilities. Each lesson was meticulously planned, allowing for clear progression that kept our young musicians keen and motivated.
Gareth's engaging and enthusiastic style truly captivated the pupils. He had a fantastic way of connecting with the children, which made each workshop not only educational but also incredibly fun. The variety of activities and the ability to tailor workshops to fit different topics and themes were impressive, ensuring that every child felt included and excited about their learning.
Feedback from the children has been overwhelmingly positive; they absolutely loved the sessions and were always asking when Gareth would return. It was delightful to see such enthusiasm and energy in the classroom! These workshops have undoubtedly ignited a passion for music among our pupils, and we are looking forward to more drumming adventures with Stick 2 in the future. Highly recommended for any school wanting to inspire their students!
Aberdare Town Church Primary School
We recently hosted an African drumming workshop for our reception-aged children, and it was truly an inspirational experience! From the moment the workshop began, the children were captivated by the vibrant rhythms and sounds. Gareth’s energy and passion were infectious, making it easy for every child to engage fully.
Throughout the session, the children explored different drumming techniques, learned simple rhythms, and were encouraged to express themselves creatively. It was wonderful to see how confident and enthusiastic they became, working together as a group and immersing themselves in the music.
The workshop not only introduced them to a rich cultural tradition but also supported important skills like listening, coordination, and teamwork. The joy and excitement on their faces were priceless, and it’s clear this experience will stay with them for a long time. We highly recommend this workshop to any school looking for a fun, educational, and uplifting experience for young learners!
About Stick 2
Gareth Hamlin graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama after studying Percussion with Chris Stock and Timpani with Steve Barnard.
Since graduating Gareth has worked with many world leading orchestras, conductors and artists including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, English Symphony Orchestra, Welsh Chamber Orchestra, British Sinfonietta, Cardiff Sinfonietta, Ensemble Cambrica, Karl Jenkins, Hywel Choir, Angelicus Celtis, Martyn Geraint, Under The Covers function band and The Music Agency “The Goonies” live with orchestra tour.
Gareth is also heavily involved in musical theatre. He works with the Friendship Theatre Company and has played on the touring productions of South Pacific and Beauty and the Beast.
As well as performing, Gareth is a percussion tutor, teaching at Christ College Brecon. Gareth has also composed many works for percussion ensemble, a number of these have been published by the leading music publisher and distributor, Southern Percussion.
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