Bringing Music to Easterside Academy, Middlesbrough
Children from Easterside Academy, Middlesbrough recently demonstrated their musical skills in an event for school leaders and supporters held at the school. They’ve been receiving weekly music lessons, subsidised by the Foundation, since September 2021.
Through the programme, all children participate in both a music lesson and singing assembly at least once a week, plus have the opportunity to take part in a choir or music club.
Over the last forty years music education has declined dramatically in schools across the country, especially in primary schools. The Foundation, which was established following the death of Dr Richard Shephard in February 2021, is aiming to catalyse change.
Starting in disadvantaged or isolated communities, the Foundation is subsidising curriculum-based music lessons in primary schools, working with the education partner, Sing Education.
Cathy Grant, the Foundation’s General Manager, commented:
“I’ve been absolutely blown away by the impact that having weekly music lessons has already had on the pupils at Easterside. Not only do the pupils sing together with greater confidence, their musical knowledge has also vastly improved.”
“Children learn music from around the world, fundamental musicianship skills and play a variety of musical instruments together. As well as being great for children’s general knowledge and wellbeing, we hope these building blocks will mean they’ll enter secondary school with an increased level of confidence and understanding that will encourage more of them to study for a music qualification or seek out opportunities to further their musical skills.”
Easterside Academy was one of the first schools to sign up. Headteacher Delyth Linacre is already starting to see the impact of the music lessons: “I’ve seen an improvement in engagement and confidence, listening and attention – all of these had been hit by the pandemic.”
As a composer, conductor, teacher and performer, Richard Shephard changed the lives of hundreds of children across York and North Yorkshire and the goal of the Foundation is to extend that legacy and experience to thousands more children across the region. Future plans for the Foundation include the development of junior choirs and specialist provision for disabled young people to access adapted instruments.
“None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors,” continued Cathy. “They make it all possible, and we’ll be continuing to seek vital funding throughout the year to allow our activities to continue and expand”.