For schools, music hubs, colleges, conservatoires and universities
Indian classical music for schools, colleges and music hubs
KalaSudha runs education projects in Indian classical music for schools and music hubs, led by the artists it promotes. We plan each one with the teacher, around the curriculum or exam course.
What KalaSudha does for schools
KalaSudha plans and runs Indian classical music projects with schools, music hubs, music schools, conservatoires, colleges and university music departments, anywhere in the world. The artists we promote lead every project. We shape each one for the age group, from primary school pupils to university students. For exam classes, we plan around the course, such as GCSE, A level or IB music. Projects can be of any size.
In class, pupils work hands-on with raga, the melodic framework of the music, and tala, its rhythmic cycle. Our artists include singers and players of sitar, tabla, bansuri (the Indian bamboo flute), Indian slide guitar and piano. Others play sarangi (a bowed instrument close to the human voice), santoor (the hammered dulcimer of Kashmir), pakhawaj (a double-headed barrel drum) and ghatam (the clay pot of Carnatic music). We also run public workshops and masterclasses with our artists in sitar, Indian slide guitar and raga on piano.
After the visit, teachers keep the classroom material: lesson notes, listening lists or recordings.
What a project can include
Workshops in class
The artists we promote run hands-on workshops in class on raga, tala and the instruments they play. We shape each workshop for its group, whether a primary class or a university music department, and plan it with the teacher.
Concerts and lecture-demonstrations
The artists give a concert at your school, for an assembly, in the school hall or for a music department. A lecture-demonstration adds explanation to the performance, so pupils learn what they are hearing.
Artist residencies
In a residency, the same artists work with your school over several days or weeks, and the work builds to a performance. International schools anywhere in the world can host one. For artists coming from India, we prepare the visa paperwork and arrange their travel.
Masterclasses
Masterclasses are for advanced students at conservatoires, music schools, colleges and university music departments. An artist we promote leads each one, as a player or a singer, and we plan it with the department.
Music hub programmes
A music hub or school group can run one project across several of its schools. The same artists visit each school, and we plan the programme with the hub's music teachers.
Teacher training sessions
Our teacher training sessions are professional development for classroom music teachers: the artists show them how to teach raga and tala in class. Teachers keep the classroom material and can carry on learning in our online academy.
How a school project works
- Press Send an enquiry and tell us what you have in mind for your pupils or students.
- We talk with the music teacher about the age group and the curriculum or exam course.
- We send a proposal with the project plan and the costs. A school can use both in its own funding application.
- Together we choose the artists and shape the programme.
- Before the visit, we agree the safeguarding checks and the insurance your school needs.
- For artists coming from India, we prepare the visa paperwork and arrange their travel and the tour around the project.
- The artists come to your school and run the project.
- Afterwards, teachers keep the classroom material, and pupils and teachers can carry on learning in our online academy.
Artists
The artists who lead each project
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a school bring Indian classical music into its music curriculum?
A school can bring Indian classical music into its music curriculum through a KalaSudha project, planned with the music teacher around the curriculum or exam course. The artists KalaSudha promotes run hands-on workshops in class on raga and tala, the melodic framework and the rhythmic cycle of the music. A project can add a concert or a residency, shaped for the pupils' age group. Teachers keep the classroom material afterwards.
How can a college bring Indian classical musicians in to work with its music students?
A college can bring Indian classical musicians in to work with its music students through KalaSudha, which plans a project with the artists it promotes. The artists run workshops in class and lead masterclasses for advanced students. They also give concerts and lecture-demonstrations. In a residency, they work with the students over several days or weeks. For GCSE, A level or IB music students, the plan follows the exam course.
How can a music teacher learn to teach Indian classical music in the classroom?
A music teacher can learn to teach Indian classical music in the classroom through KalaSudha's teacher sessions, led by the artists it promotes. The sessions show how to teach raga and tala, the melodic framework and the rhythmic cycle of the music. Teachers keep the classroom material, such as lesson notes, listening lists or recordings.
They can carry on learning in KalaSudha's online academy. It teaches every discipline of Indian classical music online, with workshops and summer camps where enough learners sign up.
Can Indian classical musicians run workshops for GCSE, A level or IB music students?
Indian classical musicians from KalaSudha run workshops for GCSE, A level and IB music students, planned with the music teacher around the exam course. The workshops are hands-on: students work with raga and tala, the melodic framework and the rhythmic cycle of the music, and with the instruments the artists play. Advanced students can also take a masterclass. Before the visit, KalaSudha agrees the safeguarding checks and the insurance the school or college needs.
Can a school host visiting Indian classical musicians from India?
A school can host visiting Indian classical musicians from India through KalaSudha, which brings the artists it promotes and arranges their travel and the tour around the project. KalaSudha prepares the visa paperwork, starting with the invitation and the artists' documents. For the UK, KalaSudha applies for visiting paid performers through the Standard Visitor route for a Permitted Paid Engagement, using its UK invitation. Outside the UK, it works with the school on the application.
Before the visit, KalaSudha also agrees the safeguarding checks and the insurance the school needs.
Can Indian classical musicians perform a concert at our school?
Indian classical musicians can perform a concert at your school through KalaSudha, for an assembly, in the school hall or for a music department. The artists KalaSudha promotes include singers and players of sitar, tabla, bansuri (the Indian bamboo flute), Indian slide guitar and piano. A lecture-demonstration adds explanation to the performance. KalaSudha shapes each concert for the pupils' age group.
How much does an Indian classical music project for a school cost?
The cost of an Indian classical music project for a school depends on the artists, the format, the dates and travel, so KalaSudha quotes for each project. Projects can be of any size. KalaSudha's proposal sets out the project plan and the costs, which a school can use in its own funding application. Part of every fee goes to the KalaSudha artists development fund, which pays for concerts, releases and the promotion of the art forms.
How are safeguarding checks handled when Indian classical musicians visit a school?
Before Indian classical musicians visit a school, KalaSudha agrees the safeguarding checks the school needs, such as a DBS check in England, and the insurance. The school tells KalaSudha what it requires, and KalaSudha settles both while planning the project with the music teacher. The agreement covers every project, whatever its size. A school can set out its requirements in its enquiry to KalaSudha.
Plan an Indian classical music project with us
Press Send an enquiry and we reply with a proposal for your pupils or students: the project plan and the costs.