DCSF Launches Tune in: Year of Music
A national year of music aims to give every child the chance to get more from music
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has announced today that it will launch a series of activities across the country, as part of on an exciting new national project entitled Tune In: Year of Music. Running throughout the academic year 09/10, in conjunction with music and cultural organisations across the country, including the Southbank Centre, Royal Opera House, Barbican, The O2, Sage Gateshead, BRIT School, Disney Channel, UK Music, UK Arts Council, National Association of Youth Orchestras, and Gibson, the Year of Music aims to give every child the chance to get more from music.
Launching Tune In: Year of Music will be a music lesson like none other. First Class: the Ultimate Music Lesson will highlight the diversity of music and the different ways in which children can get involved, First Class will take place at 12.30pm, at Twyford CE High School in London today. Attended by Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the lesson will be streamed live into schools throughout the nation. First Class will be led by an amazing array of international musical contributors including Simon Cowell, Lily Allen, Slash, Jamie Cullum, VV Brown, Amanda Holden, The Hoosiers, Girls Can’t Catch, Vanessa Mae, Dannii Minogue, Katherine Jenkins, N-Dubz, Guy Chambers, the English National Ballet, cast of Wicked and Mamma Mia, Killa Kela and DJ Yoda, who have all come together to advise and inspire children and highlight the broad range of musical opportunities available.
Hosted by Konnie Huq, First Class will be led by a collection of ambassadors at the school with live, interactive performances from VV Brown, Jamie Cullum and Killa Kela, who will also take questions from pupils across the country. The ambassadors and host will introduce a range of bespoke videos by muscial icons from all parts of the industry. Broadcast live and accessed through classroom interactive whiteboards, the lesson will carry pupils through an inspirational musical journey, showcasing the diverse range of ways music can inspire children’s lives, how easily children can enjoy and participate in music and the world of opportunities that music can open.
After First Class, the launch will run with additional exciting activities and events across the country, spanning from a Dawn Chorus of junior musical ensembles in Newcastle (Friday 11th September), culminating in a unique Mobile Symphony with Jaz Coleman and Gabriel Prokofiev in Plymouth (Tuesday 15th September).
Extensive research shows that engaging in music can significantly improve both academic and emotional development including language development, numeracy, social skills, physical development and emotional intelligence. The Department for Children, Schools and Families has made a commitment to invest £330m from 2008 through to 2011 to improve music opportunities for more children and young people and this campaign aims to unite everyone in celebrating, extending and developing participation in music and other forms of cultural activity. Taking part in music, whether singing, playing an instrument, writing lyrics, dancing or working behind the scenes can inspire creativity, improve concentration skills, encourage motivation and determination and build social and life skills.
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls said: “I want to create a generation of talented performers who can sing, dance, play instruments and fly the flag for Great Britain. Music is at the very heart of British popular culture - it’s what kids talk about, it’s what they aspire to. It’s fantastic that TV talent shows like X factor attract millions of viewers each week, but young people need to know that they can only become stars by mastering the basics when they’re young and by learning about a range of music - from classical to country. This is exactly why we need world class music education in schools. Head teachers tell me the reason why they want to teach music and dance is not just because they’re fun, but they also have a positive impact on pupils’ reading and writing. Research backs this up, showing direct links between music and attainment, better behaviour and better social cohesion. Far from it being a ‘soft subject’, the benefits of music are simply too important to ignore. This is exactly why we have invested £330million in music since 2008. This has provided nearly 1 million primary school children with access to free music tuition, along with hundreds of other opportunities to perform and learn from experts in the field, through programmes like ‘Sing up’ and Music Partnerships with world class classical musicians like the London Symphony Orchestra. But we want this investment to reach every child, to broaden more young people’s horizons and create more chances for them to both enjoy and learn from music and dance. Giving young people the chance to learn about music can teach them more than just the ins and outs of an instrument. It forms an integral part of our culture, and I believe it should be an integral part of every childhood. I want the National Year of Music to celebrate our great and diverse musical heritage, to champion our remarkable young talent, and enable more children and young people to experience the fantastic musical opportunities that are on offer in this country.”
Alice Hudson, Headteacher at Twyford CE High School commented “Music is a vital part of our school and has enriched the lives of the school community. I would whole heartedly support schools developing music for its own sake and as an aid to learning.”
Year of Music will work with a broad range of stakeholders on events and activities throughout the year. Visit the Year of Music’s website: Tune In for more information on stakeholders involved and upcoming events. The website for the live lesson will be www.tuneinyearofmusic.com
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