Music for Life hits a high note

March 2006

Local music society, Sowerby Music, is celebrating ten years of bringing professional musicians into schools through its ‘Music for Life’ project.

Since 1996 ‘Music for Life’ has grown into the largest programme of its sort in the country and now reaches 3,500 children each year, many in small village schools. The annual running costs of nearly £9,000 are largely met by enthusiastic members of Sowerby Music.

Recently over a hundred pupils at Topcliffe CE Primary School enjoyed a day with ‘Music Explorers’, Nicola Stables on double bass and French Horn player Naomi Atherton. The children worked with the musicians to create their own accompaniment to a new song called ‘Music in the Air’, specially written to celebrate ‘Music for Life’s’ birthday, with words by John Bunting of Morton on Swale and music by Trevor Wilson, Head of Music at Thirsk School.

Thirsk Community Primary School choir then recorded the song on to CD with the help of professional sound recordist Paul Baily from Thirsk. The CD will help other schools prepare for the ‘Big Sing’ – over the next few months the song will be sung and incorporated into the workshops at each of the thirty one schools now taking part in the scheme.

Topcliffe CofE Primary Head Teacher Lyn Chatwin said: "Music for Life is a very precious resource for schools because children can see and hear musicians at work and experience the enjoyment and value of music in a fun atmosphere. Hopefully this will foster a lifelong love of music."

‘Music for Life’ also supports the teaching staff with suggestions for follow-up activities, and recently held a training event for 55 teachers led by Manchester Camerata’s principal percussionist Janet Fulton. She has worked with ‘Music for Life’ since its launch and lives in Coxwold.

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Notes to editors:

Picture: click here

Contact: “Music for Life” organiser Pat Elton on 01609 883 267 or by email: click here