A PILOT programme saw more than 1,000 students benefit from the talent ? and generosity ? of artists participating in the 2004 Bermuda Festival.

As part of an outreach programme designed for school kids, performers held master classes and special daytime shows as a means of exposing them to the arts.

It was the first time such a programme had been held, said Karen Pollard, the Festival's artistic administrator.

"In previous years, we haven't put much emphasis on things for children," she explained. "We've put one or two programmes in the Festival that parents could bring children to, but we have never really held a proper, structured programme for young people on the island.

"The mission of the Festival is not only to entertain, but to educate, and obviously we're looking to foster our younger audiences, to raise their interest in the arts and in culture in general. There's no better way to do that than by involving them."

The programme was put together last November and a package hand delivered to every school on the island, asking teachers to respond by a certain date so interest could be determined, she explained. The response was incredible.

"We wanted an idea of how many people we were looking at ? whether it was worthwhile organising it," she explained. "We went to every educational establishment on the island and made a point of delivering all of them, by hand, to the schools within a 24-hour period so that nobody had any advantage over anyone else.

"I literally drove from St. George's to Somerset and handed them in and, where possible, talked to the person I handed them to, explaining what it was and saying we hoped they would be able to come and that we felt their children would benefit from it. We had huge enthusiasm for it."

Mrs. Pollard said the Festival approached about half of the artists who would be participating this year with the concept. Once the performers agreed, many shows were organised with specific groups in mind ? The Aquila Theatre Company's was aimed at 14, 15 and 16 year olds; a master class with Branford Marsalis ? unfortunately cancelled when his plane was unable to land due to high winds ? offered to saxophone players.

"The Polka Theatre presents was aimed at four to seven year olds," she said. "We advertised widely for parents to come with their children. Part of our hope in education is for families to attend together; for parents to encourage their children to go to things and not just rely on television for entertainment."

The Black Dyke Band invited students of brass instruments of all ages to come and see them perform, and had them bring their mouthpieces for blowing and playing tips; the Dance Theatre of Harlem's founder and artistic director, Arthur Mitchell, held a master class for some of the island's dancers and his group ? with the aid of the Warwick Gombey troupe ? later performed on stage for students.

The Russian National Orchestra Wind Quintet performed and . Respective narrators for the performance ? Diana Douglas and Sean Dill ? appeared before a full house.

"We were heavily oversubscribed," Mrs. Pollard said. "And here, I have to give credit to the teachers. It was the Government schools' half-term holiday and some of the teachers managed to organise some of their children to meet them at the theatre.

"I think it's very good that both the children and the teachers gave up their free time to attend that performance. It says a lot for the teachers involved.

"Obviously it meant extra organisation for them ? they had to meet up with the children; had to get special permission from their parents ? but also the parents. There were several I met who were slipping out of work to drop their children off and picking them up afterwards.

"Culture is a funny thing. I think, generally, you can interest children in any aspect of the arts from any age. You just need to pitch it to whatever age group you decide you want to invite to any particular function.

"Clearly, Peter and the Wolf has a sort of age group that is appropriate to it; obviously, Martha did; but for the Black Dyke Band we took it across the board really."

The pilot programme was a success not only because it was enjoyed by those in attendance, but because it identified the strong interest school children have in the arts, Mrs. Pollard added.

"I think it's really how many of the artists are prepared to give up the extra time to do it. We contract for the performances and then I have to ask them if they'll slip in this outreach. And in most cases, they're giving up their time to do this for us because they have an interest in promoting their art and their interest in securing an interest from children of any age.

"The children seem to have enjoyed it and we've had great feedback from some of teachers. Some have come to three or four events ? they'll come to the first and then ask if they can have more tickets for next time.

"So I would say yes, there's been great enthusiasm for it. I think I counted 1,150 children in total and had it not been half-term, I think we would have had even more. And there isn't a huge amount of duplication. It may be the same teachers coming, but they're bringing different students to things that are appropriate for them.

"I feel, chances are, that there's going to be 1,150 children who, when they see the Festival brochure come out next year, are going to say, 'I wonder what I can go to next year'?"

The final outreach programme scheduled for the 2004 Festival will be held on Monday morning when Michala Petri, a Danish recorder virtuoso, will perform.