Anyone who watched Channel 4’s The Piano earlier this year, will have seen how important and transformative music is in the lives of children. Concerned by the lack of music education in many state schools because of funding cuts, curriculum changes and the cost of living crisis, Music Lifeline in Rye set about the challenge of meeting some of the gap by offering to primary school children the opportunity to experience music making.
Earlier this year, Music Lifeline and the Hastings Music Festival came together to work with 9 state primary schools, employing Andy Nunn, music teacher, composer and resident of Hastings. Andy worked with teachers and children to create their own school song based around confidence, resilience and teamwork. The result was a joyful concert at The White Rock Theatre in March enjoyed by parents, teachers and local residents.
Speaking after the event, Ann Hohenkerk, the adjudicator of the event said: “What moved me, and I think the whole audience to tears at the end, was to see and hear over 150 children joining together in song to sing, I Am Me. It was incredible, and I think the children were as moved as we were. I am sure that they have never heard a sound like it before. I wish I could have bottled the happiness and joy that shone out of those faces!
“It’s difficult for parents, who are struggling with so many other issues, to make music a priority for their children. We were told by the head of one school that it was the first time their pupils had been on a coach, or on a stage and that some in Ore hadn’t even seen the sea!”
Music workshops in Rye
Building on the success of the Singing in Schools work project, Andy Nunn has been asked to run two free music workshops for children of different ages on September 21 as part of the Rye Arts Festival The launch of the Festival will be on July 28 so look out for more details then. We can guarantee that they will be fun!
Get involved
Music Lifeline plans to contribute to a repeat performance of the Singing in Schools project at next year’s Hastings Music Festival and we are keen to develop its programmes, if support from funders allows. In particular, we would like to run some music workshops that introduce children to a range of instruments and music activities as well as singing. If you’d like to get involved, help fund a workshop or help us buy new instruments, please get in touch with us at musiclifelinerye@gmail.com
Sir Keir Starmer recently expressed his concern about the lack of music in state schools and, as a musician himself, he recognises the benefits of music in children’s lives. See Support Music and Creative Education. So it looks like music and the arts may be making a welcome return to state schools but this will take time. In the meantime, let’s work together to make music making an everyday experience.
“This opportunity has been thoroughly enjoyed by our children. We love singing but with no ‘experts’ at school this has transformed the children’s experience.” Dudley Infant Academy
We very much appreciate the support many of you have already given us, both in terms of financial donations and providing instruments which are being put to good use in schools. We hope to be piloting our first after school workshop in the near future with funding from a very generous donor.
Website: www.musiclifeline.org.uk. Email: musiclifelinerye@gmail.com
Image Credits: Blacklands Academy .