School’s Renaissance Revival

The drum’s reverberating thud brought the roomful of squirming young children to attention. Once the woodwind and brass instruments kicked in, the kindergarten-through-second-grade audience grew rapt.

Students at Laurence 2000 School in Van Nuys capped their two-week Elizabethan Days on Thursday by hearing the Southern California Early Music Consort perform Renaissance music fit for dancing, fighting and wooing.

In a 40-minute program, the period-costumed group played and explained a variety of ancient instruments, including recorders from a few inches to 5 feet long and a full complement of horns.

“We’re the kind of band that kings from the Renaissance would have in their court,” leader Tom Axworthy told students. “Did we get your attention?”

“Yeah!” came the reply.

Elizabethan Days began three years ago at the private elementary school as a way of immersing students in the culture of 16th century England. This year, students made English crafts such as leather pouches and took the plunge with Shakespeare, reciting portions of “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.”

Still, the music had some familiar elements. A murmur passed through the rows of metal folding chairs as the children recognized “Three Blind Mice.”