A case study about providing opportunities for children to play music together
At 3pm on a wet Tuesday afternoon, 20 KS2 children gathered excitedly with their instruments – violin, viola, cello, recorder, fife, clarinet, glockenspiel and untuned percussion – to play together for the first time, all whilst being filmed and in front of their parents. The pressure was on but, as children do, they rose to the occasion magnificently, playing confidently, enthusiastically and musically. On the day I had the pleasure of working with some Year 5 children who have only been playing clarinet for a few weeks, learning with the rest of their class as part of the whole class instrumental programme. They asked if they could play in the orchestra every week, they enjoyed it so much!
The idea for this orchestra project was sparked following an Arts club that Leeds Music Education Partnership funded through its Innovative Activity Programme. Although all genres were explored in the club, the children expressed a real desire to learn to play musical instruments together and so the next challenge was how to fund this. Jane Hurst, Music Leader from Middleton Primary heard about Music for All through a Primary Music Leaders Network meeting and, following a successful application, was granted funding to pay for instruments and specialist tuition. This is enabling the school to provide whole class and small group teaching and funding the ensemble leader for the year.
Music for All are delighted to be able to offer financial awards as well as donations of instruments for a variety of groups providing music education or music-making opportunities in certain categories. Their current round of funding is open and applications should be made by 8am on Monday 18th December. Find out more.
Paula Brookes, Head of Service, ArtForms Music
