Liverpool Philharmonic : In Harmony : Changing communities through music

Changing communities through music

‘ ...since this started, it's dead cool to play a violin in West Everton.’

In Harmony Liverpool featured in an article in the Observer on Sunday 3 October.

In Harmony is inspired by Venezuela’s El Sistema, using the unique power of music making through the symphony orchestra to enthuse and motivate children, their families and their communities. In Harmony is centred around ensembles and seeks social change through the pursuit of musical excellence. One happens through the other, and neither is prioritized above the other.

Liverpool Philharmonic successfully bid to lead one of three national pilots for In Harmony England between January 2009 and March 2011, funded by the Department for Education and chaired by Julian Lloyd Webber. The other pilots are taking place in Lambeth (led by Lambeth Music Service) and Norwich (led by Norwich & Norfolk Community Arts).

‘ I saw the government’s In Harmony scheme in action in Liverpool and what an astonishing, inspiring experience it was… seeing it in action is the sort of experience that would make a music-educational evangelist of any politician.’ Tom Service, The Guardian Classical Blog

In Harmony Liverpool is:

Using music to bring positive change to the lives of young children aged 3-12 years in West Everton and delivering significant benefits across families, Faith Primary School and the wider community;

Encouraging participation in music – through the West Everton Children’s Orchestra, associated ensembles and daily, immersive music making – to bring about huge personal benefits for children involved and providing opportunities for them to grow and develop, both socially and musically;

Led by Liverpool Philharmonic with local partners including: West Everton’s only school, Faith Primary School; West Everton Community Counci; Liverpool Hope University; Liverpool Music Support Service; and The Shewsy.

In its first 2 years, In Harmony had a dramatic impact in West Everton:

Significant increases in children’s educational attainment in reading and numeracy and improvements in self-esteem, confidence, pride and wellbeing;

In a normal year at Faith Primary, around 20% of children exceed the teachers’ expectations in academic achievement. 2009/10 was no normal year, and through the support and impact of In Harmony Liverpool, 78% of children exceeded expectations in educational attainment;

Outstanding progress achieved in children’s musical ability as individuals and an orchestra through the intensive, immersive and high quality approach to music led by In Harmony Liverpool Artistic Director Rod Skipp;

Improved Ofsted result for Faith Primary School; and

Increases in pride, wellbeing and engagement throughout the West Everton community.

‘In Harmony is transforming the school and has brought a new energy to our community.’ Sister Moira Meeghan, Head Teacher, Faith Primary School

The Programme

Led by a team of Liverpool Philharmonic musicians, every primary aged child in West Everton has the opportunity to learn an instrument from aged 4, and immediately becomes a musician of the West Everton Children’s Orchestra.

The orchestra as a form is crucial. For an orchestra to succeed, it must be greater than the sum of its parts. Every person has a role to play. It combines leadership, teamwork, discipline, communication skills and respect with friendship, great fun and positive social experiences. It develops the foundations of musicianship and musical literacy through the enjoyment of learning, rehearsing and performing as an ensemble of musicians.

West Everton Children’s Orchestra began in April 2009; one day after children had picked up an instrument for the first time. Just 12 weeks later, they performed for 600 friends and families at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. They now perform to great acclaim at Liverpool Philharmonic’s concert venue for audiences up to 1,000 people, and performed at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall and Royal Festival Hall Clore Ballroom as part of a national In Harmony celebration.

All staff at Faith School, including Head Teacher (double bass), teachers, school secretary and cook, learn an instrument alongside the children, strengthening relationships between child and teacher and developing the culture of the school as a learning community.

In Harmony Liverpool’s weekly schedule includes:

Sectional rehearsals (group instrumental lessons) on violin, viola, cello and double bass run Monday and Thursday mornings;

West Everton Children’s Orchestra rehearsals on Friday afternoons at Liverpool Philharmonic at the Friary, our rehearsal and education centre, formerly St Mary of the Angel’s Church;

Regular after school clubs and sectional rehearsals, when Faith Primary children are joined by children who live in West Everton but attend Beacon Primary School and other primary schools;

After school rehearsals for West Everton Super Strings (Year 7 chamber group), West Everton Junior Strings (Years 4-6 chamber ensemble), West Everton Mini Strings (Years 2 & 3 chamber groups), In Harmony String Quartet (Years 6, 7 & 8 children), In Harmony String Quintet (Years 5 & 6 children) Seahorses, Starfish and Clownfish sectionals, and Orchestral Percussion sectionals;

Regular performances by West Everton Children’s Orchestra and ensembles;

Whole school singing each morning; and

Weekly musicianship classes;

During holiday periods, we run In Harmony Summer School and In Harmony at Home, which provides live performances by individual or small groups of children accompanied and supported by professional musicians in their own living room for families and friends. Children have received master classes from Liverpool Philharmonic musicians, violinist Tasmin Little and Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar String Quartet.

Children, families and community members regularly attend Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Rodewald Concert Series events at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and St George’s Hall Small Concert Room. We also run Tea & Tunes, a series of informal classical music concerts by small ensembles from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in community venues and churches in West Everton, including performances, talks, demonstrations and practical music making for the whole community, all in an informal atmosphere over a cup of tea.

In Harmony is already highlighting the potential of music to transform schools and learning, strengthening families and communities. In Harmony is providing a powerful, inclusive model to support every child to fulfil their personal, social, educational and musical potential.

In Harmony Liverpool is supported by