Music is a Key - and a universal right
Media is awash with reports of music being cut in schools, the finalists of prestigious music competitions being exclusively from private schools , and a recent report that said: “Young people are feeling less musical, especially girls and those from the North of England.” (Youth Music).
And it’s true, creative people and school leaders are having to get even more creative about how they deliver music education for young people in the UK – but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a huge appetite for music and commitment to show that music can be a key to unlock many benefits.
We are one of a number of organisations seeking to buck recent trends by delivering weekly music to thousands of children throughout their primary years across Yorkshire and the North East.
By recruiting and training local musicians to go into the classroom, building long term partnerships with schools, and - most vitally - raising funds to keep the cost as low as possible, we are now delivering weekly music to 6,500 children across Yorkshire and the North East throughout their primary years.
"It's not straightforward,” says CEO Cathy Grant. “School budgets are tight, recruitment of musicians can be challenging, and bringing in sustained private funding is intensive work. But we think music education should be a universal right for all children, and that’s what keeps driving us on.”
“Our schools programme helps remove the barriers for primary schools to deliver a wide-ranging music curriculum. We are currently working in 28 of the region’s primary schools, many of which have high levels of disadvantage and Special Educational Needs. We aim, over the next two years, to enable over 10,000 young people to receive a music lesson each week throughout their primary years, and to have the opportunity to join a choir, come along to a music holiday club, or take up an instrument.”
This December, our Big Give Christmas Challenge will aim to raise enough funds to bring weekly music to another 1,000 children - and all donations will be doubled – Help us develop the next generation of musicians
Our recent Impact Report shows how much can be achieved in partnership with schools, musicians and funders, with the following results from the recent analysis of our programme:
100% of schools feel their pupils’ musical knowledge is improved
92% of schools feel their pupils are more confident
81% feel their pupils’ wellbeing is improved
60% feel their pupils’ aspirations are increased
(Survey of teachers July 2024)
We have also launched a campaign to remind people of the power of music.
The film: ‘Music is a Key’ was part produced in one of our Selby primary schools, and partly during our annual Make Music Day in York. It features young people from across the region and it is hoped the rollout of the film on social media will bring in vital funds.
The headteacher from our Selby school said: “Music is now part of our daily life here at Barwic, even when RSMF is not in school, music has become a key feature. I would say that many of our children have embraced music and recognised that they have a skill or talent in both playing or singing.”
Elly Fiorentini, from BBC Radio York, provided the voiceover for the film. She said: “Without music I would never have got through exams and school. It’s been so important in my own life.”