Slightly confusing for non-pop followers is grime in the proceedings, particularly as the classical/ hip hop fusion is taking place at what are christened Classic Grime Workshops.

Grime is a sub-genre of hip hop with elements of UK garage and dancehall (other pop 'styles') which emerged in early 2000s London.
Hip hop, of Jamaican origin, began gaining currency in 1970s New York. It evolved from rap and usually amounts to rapping (rhythmic speaking) to a backing beat played on a record turntable by a DJ.

Elements of hip hop have diversified considerably since, including as grime which tends to have a more minimilistic, choppy and fierce sound, whereas hip hop is essentially dance music.

The Springs Academy workshops are an extension of the City Hall's pre-concert workshops during the International Concert Season just ended and, like those, are supported by local IT and communication technology experts The Wired Workplace.

They are led by the project leader of the City Hall workshops Liz Roberts who says: "I'm delighted how the project's going so far. The children involved are so keen to learn, they really are a joy to work with.

"The most commonly asked question at the end of each workshop is 'when's the next one?'"

One would expect the classical music aspects to be of contemporary nature – the minimilism of the likes of Steve Reich and Philip Glass seems obvious.

Mozart and Schubert somehow do no equate with Roots Manuva.
The London rapper took part in one of the workshops in early May adding to the famous faces who have visited the Springs Academy in the last 12 months, including Nicola Benedetti and Cleveland Watkiss.

Classical coaching and input in the workshops has been in the hands members of the Manchester Camerata and students from the Royal Northern College of Music.

Also violinist Jamie Hutchinson, who says: "The school is absolutely fantastic, the facilities amazing, the staff really supportive and every one of the pupils has something to offer musically, from improvisation and compositional skills to been good team players who help other pupils to learn and develop their parts."

On the grime team is MC Crystalize, creative partnership officer at the Zion Arts Centre in Manchester.

He says: "I find it very stimulating working with classical musicians. They're so structured in the way they work which is so different to 'normal' hip hop. The kids are great, lots of talent and it's good to see children from all cultural backgrounds working together so well."

Robert Gordon of Rob Gordon Productions, also on the grime side of the project and a former pupil of the academy in its Myrtle Springs days, says: "I wish the facilities had been like this when I was at school."
The Classic Grime Workshops culminate with a public performance at Sheffield Springs Academy on Wednesday, July 2 at 2pm.

Tickets are available through the Springs Academy from Jan Montgomery (0114) 239 2631.