CONNECTED TO MUSIC - PROJECT OUTLINE
A Music Partnership Project to create a new model of music education delivery for Northamptonshire
A partnership of some of Northampton’s top creative organisations has been awarded over £192,000 for Connected to Music, a project that aims to transform how music is taught in schools.
Orchestras Live, the national development agency for orchestral music in England, in partnership with Northampton Music and Performing Arts Service (NMPAS), Learning Achievement & School Improvement Services (LASI), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, sinfonia ViVA and Royal & Derngate successfully bid for a Music Partnership Project (MPP) from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), and will, over the next twelve months, deliver one of only five MPPs this year.
With funding from DCSF and supported by DCMS and Arts Council England, Connected to Music builds on the strengths of an established partnership which is driven by the need to make the best use of collective resources to deliver common objectives particularly those relating to raising educational standards, inspiring and motivating young people and developing new audiences in Northamptonshire.
Connected to Music aims to create a model of music education delivery in Northamptonshire that connects young people’s music learning in the classroom, particularly those experiencing Wider Opportunities programmes and in transition years, to a wide range of music making opportunities outside the classroom supported by a team of professional musicians from NMPAS, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and sinfonia ViVA and the flagship regional venue, Royal & Derngate. The project will run from October 2009 until September 2010.
At the heart of the project is the empowerment of music teachers to inspire young people to achieve the highest possible standard and fulfil their potential. With the creative leadership of Tim Steiner, a creative ensemble will be formed from musicians from NMPAS, RPO, sinfonia ViVA, Daventry schools and the local community to deliver a variety of different musical experiences ranging from creative workshops to full scale performances at Royal & Derngate.
Orchestras Live’s vision is to inspire, motivate and empower the widest range of people through excellent live orchestral music. It is an independent charitable organisation and is an RFO of Arts Council England. Speaking about the successful bid, Henry Little, Chief Executive of Orchestras Live, said: “Connected to Music is exactly the kind of partnership working that Orchestras Live champions, and it is great news that the DCSF has recognised the creative potential within Northamptonshire. Our aim is that ‘Connected to Music’ becomes a pilot that will influence the way that music education is delivered across the country, and we are delighted to be leading this important work.”
The project will also contribute to the delivery and development of a number of important County plans and priorities as well as contributing to national priorities including Every Child Matters, Music Manifesto, Making More of Music and Arts Council England’s core mission of Great Art for Everyone. It is intended that this model could become one of best practice that could be replicated in other parts of the country.
Connected to Music will feature:
* Establishment of a creative ensemble led by creative director Tim Steiner (of CBBC’s Clash), incorporating musicians from NMPAS, RPO and sinfonia ViVA alongside teachers from the participating schools, who will take part in training sessions and form smaller teams to support the delivery of the programme.
* Development of music support resources for teachers including a web-based learning platform.
* Monthly creative workshops for primary and secondary schools in Daventry with teachers working and performing alongside NMPAS, RPO, ViVA musicians.
* Performance opportunities for participants alongside sinfonia ViVA.
* Regular performances by NMPAS / RPO / ViVA ensembles in schools and venues throughout the County.
* Family concerts and music activities at Royal & Derngate by the RPO.
* Special concerts open to all primary schools in the County, in Derngate auditorium.
* Opportunities for young people from Daventry schools to perform in Royal & Derngate’s Underground space prior to RPO concerts.
* Opportunities for teachers, young people and their families to regularly experience the RPO in concert in Derngate auditorium at concessionary rates (tickets subject to availability).
* A large-scale celebration event involving the RPO, sinfonia ViVA and young people from all the participating schools.
Further information
NMPAS website
LASI website
RPO website
sinfonia ViVA website
Royal & Derngate website
DCSF website
