LIVERPOOL and Notre Dame Catholic College in Everton have been named as one of the UK's Music Education Hubs. The bid, spearheaded by Liverpool Music Support Service, was announced by The Arts Council.
The Hub will act as a gateway for Liverpool to create a music education provision for children and young people, working with local communities and their individual needs, both in and out of school.
Jonathan Dickson, Head of Service at Liverpool Music Support Service said: “This is truly great news for Liverpool’s young people. This fund will ensure that every child in Liverpool will get the chance to learn a musical instrument, meaning that learning an instrument becomes an entitlement rather than a benefit for a select few.
“Liverpool’s Music Education Hub will focus on each child’s experience of music and will be relentless in its commitment to provide Liverpool’s young people with outstanding musical opportunities that impact upon their lives and enhance our city.”
The Liverpool Music Support Service is part of a nationwide music education programme funded by a combination of a Central Government and the small contributions made by schools to bring music into the classroom. Its aim is to enrich and complement the music and arts provision in Liverpool’s schools.
Under new Government targets for high quality music provision for young people, Arts Council England have reviewed LMSS’s proposal and allocated funding for the new Hub between September 2012 and March 2015.
Mr Dickson added: "Partnership working - with common interest foundation partners across Liverpool City Region including Notre Dame Catholic College, Liverpool City Council, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Creative Universe and representatives from Liverpool family of schools - will strengthen the Hub and facilitate even greater reach into local schools, groups and communities.
"These foundation partners will form the board of the Liverpool Music Education Hub and will lead the way in establishing satellite activity groups that will act as think tanks for discussion, needs analysis and fundraising.
“We have big ambitions for the future of Liverpool’s music education," said Mr Dickinson. "Music encourages creative thinking, it engenders a sense of belonging in our young people, it promotes teamwork and provides opportunities for communication and expression. I am hugely optimistic about what music can do for our city, our future workforce and community.”
Hub Commitments
Ensuring that every child, aged 5 to 18, has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.
From September 2012, every Year 4 class in Liverpool will receive a term of whole-classensemble tuition at no cost to schools or children, ensuring that every local child has access to outstanding musical provision.
Enriching the service’s offer with performance and ensemble opportunities for children and young people at every level.
Creating clear musical progression routes that are available and affordable to all young people in Liverpool.
Developing a singing strategy ensuring every pupil sings regularly, making choirs and other vocal ensembles available to all.
Supporting Music in the Curriculum by developing our workforce to champion music and the arts in schools.
Facilitate access to instruments, using the Hub as a powerful voice in sourcing income for this purpose.
