03/12/2008
Norwich, Liverpool and Lambeth have been announced as the three areas that will lead pilot projects of In Harmony, England's answer to El Sistema.
In Harmony aims to use music as a tool to promote children's personal and social development, teaching young children from some of the country's more deprived areas to play orchestral instruments and bringing benefits across their communities.
Children as young as four will receive free music tuition and will begin to play in ensembles and orchestras at the earliest opportunity. The In Harmony programme recognises the many benefits playing an instrument and playing in an orchestra can bring: concentration, commitment, creativity, teamwork, raising aspirations and self-esteem.
The funds for In Harmony are part of the £332m package for music education announced by Ed Balls a year ago, partly in response to the Music Manifesto's Report No.2. The winning bids were chosen by the In Harmony steering group, chaired by Julian Lloyd Webber (pictured, with pupils from Bonneville Primary School), and each one is awarded a share of £3m over the next three years.
The three pilots:
West Everton
In Harmony will be delivered in West Everton, situated on the edge of Liverpool city centre. Led by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, in partnership with Faith Primary School, the resident-led West Everton Community Council, Liverpool Music Support Service and the musicians, staff and students of Liverpool Hope University, the programme of music activities will be delivered by professional musicians of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Liverpool Music Support Service.
Norwich
The Norwich In Harmony pilot will target Wensum, Mile Cross, Catton Grove and Bowthorpe wards, which have been identified as being amongst the city's most deprived areas. The pilot will be led by Norwich & Norfolk Community Arts and the NR5 Project. The partnership includes key community organisations: Earlham Early Years Centre, Larkman Primary School, Mile Cross Primary School, Catton Grove Primary School and Catton, Fiddlewood and Milecross Sure Start. In addition, experienced musicians and tutors will come from UEA School of Music and the Chamber Orchestra Anglia.
Lambeth
Lambeth Music Service and the Southbank Centre will implement the In Harmony programme on the Lansdowne Green Estate in Lambeth, South London. The scheme will include children from several local schools and nurseries. Pupils from surrounding schools and estates will be able to join the programme by attending after-school sessions, and those who already learn appropriate instruments will be able to join the ensembles.