The two organisations have come together with hi-tech educators Conductive Music to create an education programme that combines engineering, maths, and music, giving 7-11 year olds the opportunity to learn about music technology in a fun and creative way.
Sir David McMurtry, chairman and chief executive of Renishaw, said: "This programme is an opportunity for young children to gain a crucial understanding about different engineering skills and how they can combine in a creative way."
Children from 12 schools will join Bristol Plays Music, the city's music education hub, in a Beat Lab as part of their music curriculum from September 2015. Workshops will focus on the scientific concepts of engineering and acoustics.
To build their own digital musical instruments, pupils will be introduced to simple explanations of electrical circuits, building musical instruments with the Arduino-based Makey Makey boards and performing music in groups.
Batteries, switches, LEDS, LDRs, diodes, transistors, buttons and potentiometers will combine to form linear circuits drawn entirely on paper. Pupils will then create circuits with their own design using conductive ink. Flows of electricity will trigger music making devices, for example a Raspberry Pi, to trigger notes, and hand-drawn electronic synthesisers will play songs.
"We are always looking for new ways to deliver our music education programmes that will inspire and encourage young people," Louise Mitchell, chief executive of Bristol Music Trust, said. "Bristol Plays Music's Technology Lab will bring together computer programming, electronic engineering, and design to support the music curriculum, offering children huge variety in their learning."
