Music Education Islington Partners
Partnerships
Music Education Islington (MEI) has clearly defined partnerships at Strategic and Delivery levels. At the core of our partnership work is the notion that these organisations bring added value to, and complement, the MEI’s offer; and importantly that there is a reciprocal and collaborative relationship. MEI has a rigorous evaluation and quality-assurance process for all existing and potential partnerships which checks that all organisations:
- Offer clarity about how they meet MEI’s strategic priorities, MEI’s vision as well as mission and contribute to the holistic MEI offer;
- Are committed to Child Protection/Safeguarding best-practice, as well as equal opportunities for all children and young people with robust policies in place and regular training for all staff;
- Demonstrate how they positively contribute recourses (in-kind or cash) which could be used to provide opportunity for MEI pupils/schools;
- Adapt reflective practice procedures through engaging in evaluations of their own activity.
MEI’s annually reviews how organisations meet the criteria of partners or additional providers, and bring in additional expertise, impacting on the people that we work with.
Strategically MEI supports partners developing their programmes and highlighting funding opportunities on local and national levels. This then allows MEI to support partner organisations in applications to secure additional funding. MEI works with partners to secure funded activity for young people in our area.
The importance of partnership working cannot be underestimated, with significant investments of time and money made at senior levels of the organisations involved. MEI continues to work to identify new partners where there are gaps in provision or to respond to need. MEI is frequently approached by organisations wishing to become a partner and we have evolved a thorough process to establish the relevance, need and appropriateness of these potential relationships. The essential question asked whenever a proposed new partnership is suggested, is whether that new organisation can offer something unique to our existing partnerships and if it will positively benefit all MEI stakeholders in a meaningful way.
Lead Partner: Islington Council & Guildhall School of Drama and Music
Strategic Partner: MiSST. Strategic Partners provide strategic input and leadership and helps drive change, strategic partners are part of MEI’s strategic group.
Delivery Partner: Delivery Partners work with MEI to develop and deliver provision to address the gaps and needs identified in Islington. Delivery Partners may be asked to join MEI’s Operational group.
School Partner: School Partners work with MEI in order to raise the quality of music provision and musical progression for pupils in their school. MEI aims to work with every school in Islington (state maintained, free, academy). Partnership agreements with delivery partner will be reviewed annually. The working relationship with schools are outlined in MEI’s Service Level Agreement.
External Partner: External Partners are individuals or organisations delivering work locally but independently of MEI. MEI will list these organisations on their website and signpost activities where appropriate.
Our Partners
The Islington Fair Futures Commission (2018) called for more enrichment activity to support children and young people to develop ‘skills for life’.
Enrichment offers; like music, the arts, and careers activities; help children to develop social and emotional skills, such as communication, self-reliance and team working. These life skills support the wellbeing of children and young people and help them to become more resilient, think creatively and relate more positively to each other.
Music Education Islington, 100 Hours World of Work and a 11 by 11 were developed to meet this new council policy commitment.
ICoS - Enrichment | IslingtonCS
MiSST
Curriculum support | Voice | Instrumental tuition | Ensemble & future progression | Composition & music production
KS3, KS4+ | Mainstream schools, various settings | Free | Capacity varies by activity
The Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST) improves educational and social outcomes through the provision of classical instruments, expert tuition and the Key Stage 3 Andrew Lloyd Webber curriculum. Additionally, school staff are offered several continuing professional development opportunities each year and Programmes of Excellence including the Saturday MiSST Music Academy, residentials and Play Days providve young people with further extensive opportunities to develop their musical expertise. Our presentation today will exemplify how we support schools and the impact we make.
All Guildhall-led in-school MEI provisions and support, including...
- Peripatetic Teaching
- Charanga
- YuStudio by Charanga
- Jolly Music Mentoring Scheme EYFS & KS1
- West African Drumming KS1-4
- Music Therapy
- Become a Music Centre School - KS1-4
- Satellite Music Centre at your School - KS1
...can be found here:
Programmes and Projects | Guildhall School of Music & Drama (gsmd.ac.uk)
100 Hours World of Work
The 100 Hours World of Work programme is Islington Council's commitment to ensuring all young people in Islington can benefit from 100 hours’ experience of the world of work by the time they reach the age of 18. In partnership with local employers, the programme delivers a wide range of activities to primary schools, secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges to help young people explore future career options and develop transferable skills and social capital.
Apollo Music Projects
Music Education Workshops
KS2 | Mainstream schools | School contribution to cost, £1350 per year to user | Capacity of 60 children per school, up to 30 schools
Apollo Music Projects brings the magic of live music to children who might not otherwise experience it. We work with primary and special schools in deprived areas of north and east London, transforming children’s lives through our programme of interactive workshops and classical music concerts. Children develop their self-confidence and creativity and discover a new world of possibilities in a programme consisting of six classroom sessions, a chamber orchestra workshop and a final spectacular symphony orchestra concert at Hackney Empire.
Julie@apollomusicprojects.org | david@apollomusicprojects.org
Bad Lay-Dee Music Workshops
Bad Lay-Dee's music and poetry workshops for KS1 & 2 are literacy-based, developing skills such as writing, listening, learning and collaborating. As well as incorporating music education through rap, song, poetry and spoken word to help young people express themselves and build confidence and self-esteem.
Bad Lay-Dee's Music Workshops - Bad Lay-Dee (badlaydee.com)
Beat Goes On
Instrumental tuition | Ensemble & future progression | Samba drumming
EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Mainstream schools | Variable cost, per session or term | Currently no capacity restrictions
Beat Goes On deliver STOMP-style Body Percussion, Samba Drumming and other rhythm-based workshops & CPD throughout the UK and internationally. Their team includes former cast members of STOMP and qualified teachers. Today's session will provide a taste of how to quickly generate fun, exciting and accessible body percussion grooves and develop participant ideas.
www.beatgoeson.co.uk | @BeatGoesOnUK
Breakin' Convention
Breakin’ Convention has been key in developing hip hop theatre genre, celebrated through festivals, international touring, professional developments, youth projects and educational programmes.
Breakin’ Convention runs programmes for all school types and settings, including SEND schools and PRUs.
Our Work — Breakin' Convention (breakinconvention.com)
Breis at Student of Life
Variable cost
A Hip Hop inspired arts organisation passionate about encouraging positive attitudes towards learning. Working in Primary and Secondary schools.
Clair Music
Curriculum support | Composition & music production
KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Youth club/hub, own location | Cost per term | Capacity of 60
Clair Music is creating community around music learning. We help musicians love their practice by creating a platform that makes learning bite sized and social. Clair is built as a social network predicated on encouraging interactions that reward hard work and dedication. Users can see their friends’ and family’s practice posts and accomplishments, and thereby celebrate and move forwards together.
Create Define Release
Composition & Music Production
KS4+ | Mainstream schools | Variable cost, per term | Capacity up to 30
Music Producer Club (MPC), is a music production service for your young people. MPC is a proactive response to the severe lack of digital music-making opportunities for young people, especially those that reflect their everyday lives, experiences and cultures. It is responsive and adaptable to a wide range of settings, spanning from schools to youth centres. MPC is delivered by Create Define Release (CDR), which is a black-led music and talent development organisation, as well as an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, and a community with a deep heritage in the UK’s grassroots electronic music scene.
If you are interested in the MPC offer or the work we do at CDR at large, you can get in touch with Ayşe Köklü/Programme Manager, MPC: ayse@createdefinerelease.com or Tony Nwachukwu/ Director, CDR: tony@createdefinerelease.com
Creative Futures
Early Years - Workforce Development - SEND Provision
Creative Futures delivers a specialist music programme for deaf children aged 4-10 years at Laycock Primary School to support children’s musical development as well as communication skills. A free music toolkit for teachers working with deaf children is also available on our website. More information here: https://www.creativefuturesuk.com/send
Creative Futures also specialises in Early Years music and multi-arts programmes, with families or in pre-school settings, especially those which support children’s social/emotional development and speech, language and communication skills. We also provide bespoke workforce development programmes for the Early Years workforce and for artists working in this area.
www.creativefuturesuk.com | Instagram: @creative_fut/ | Email: hello@creativefuturesuk.com
Electric Voice Theatre
Voice | Composition & Music Production
KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Mainstream schools, SEND | Cost depends on project | Capacity of 30
Electric Voice Theatre’s A Song for Mary Anning offers two cross-curricular strands for KS2 class groups or choirs:-
1. Free online materials for learning a song created for the unveiling of the statue of palaeontologist Mary Anning (1799 – 1847) in 2022. The pack includes musical notes, chords, word sheet, warm ups, learning & accompaniment tracks, a BSL/Makaton video and more, plus an introductory singing session in-school for those who want extra help. Available now!
2. A hybrid online/in-school workshop series to compose and record an audio-visual song for Mary Anning with a little help from a singer, composer, science historian, artist and palaeontologist from the Natural History Museum. Expressions of interest sought now for next academic year.
Our Early Year online offer is “Lets Go Engineering” for 3 – 7yrs with comprehensive learning materials including songs, model making and dancing centred around acoustical, aerospace & aeronautical engineering (featuring pioneering pilot Amy Johnson).
herbie@electricvoicetheatre.co.uk | 07710 292681 | https://www.electricvoicetheatre.co.uk/
Every Copy Counts
Information, guidance and support
KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4+ | External campaign | Free
The Schools Printed Music Licence is your licence to copy and arrange sheet music in school. It means you can photocopy sheet music for your classes, ensembles, choirs, bands and individual lessons. All you need to do is log your data and enter it on the portal.
Every Copy Counts: An Explainer - YouTube
Hackney Music Service
Instrumental tuition | Dance, Bateria
KS1, KS2 | Mainstream schools, independent schools | Cost per term, bespoke | Whole classes, small groups, 1:1
Live Music Now
Curriculum support | Voice | Instrumental tuition | Composition & Music Production
Pre-school, EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Mainstream schools | Cost depends on project | Capacity of 30
Live Music Now fosters musical lives. Our world class musicians connect with people experiencing social exclusion or disadvantage, working together to create engaging, interactive, evidence-based live music sessions that meaningfully enhance health and well-being, improve communication, strengthen relationships and deliver positive effects long after the last note has been played. You can find our musicians in special schools, mainstream schools, colleges, care homes, hospitals, and hospices in England, NI and Wales. Working in partnership with schools, we offer fun, participatory musical activities focused on engagement, communication, pupil choice and voice.
www.livemusicnow.org.uk | se.england@livemusicnow.org.uk | 020 7759 1803
London Sinfonietta
London Sinfonietta's core work with schools, teachers & young people is composition and creative music making. In their projects they are supporting young people to create music and explore contemporary repertoire, and they provide high-profile performance platforms for participants within the London Sinfonietta concert season.
London Sinfonietta are focussing their creative composition work on offering opportunities to those who would not normally be part of something like this (schools with high PP, SEN, EAL etc). Their work with young musicians aims to increase the diversity of the musicians engaged in classical music, specifically targeting those who are currently under represented in the industry.
https://londonsinfonietta.org.uk/for-schools
London Symphony Orchestra (LSO)
Voice
KS1, KS2, KS3 | Music Making at LSO St. Luke’s | £50 for two terms | Choir capacity c. 100, school concerts 2000+
LSO Schools concerts: Our Key Stage Concerts for schools are designed especially for Key Stages 1 and 2 and Secondary School audiences, and take place each term at the Barbican Centre. We run INSET days for teachers in advance of the concerts to equip them with all the information they need to prepare their class. To sign up for the mailing list to hear about how to book for concerts email Isobel.way@lso.co.uk
Music Masters
Voice | Instrumental tuition | Ensemble & future progression | Composition & music production
EYFS, KS1, KS2 | Mainstream school | Free, £120 per term for KS2, bursaries available | Whole KS1 class can access. Up to 20 KS2 children per year group in a 2 form primary school
Music Masters is an award-winning charity which aims to empower young people through music, supported by pro-active teachers, diverse role models and a truly inclusive music sector. For over a decade, we have been working with Primary Schools providing children from disadvantaged backgrounds with access to high-quality music education, including whole class musicianship lessons, individual, small group and ensemble violin and cello tuition alongside regular performance opportunities, and opening up life-changing opportunities for them in the process. We also support and enable the development of the best music educators through our bespoke programmes of learning, including the unique Musicians of Change PGCEi, delivered in partnership with Birmingham City University.
Every day we see the impact of great music on the social, educational and personal development of the children we teach.
Music Therapy - Guildhall School
Therapy provision
Pre-school, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4+ | SEND, alternative provision, mainstream | Variable cost | Capacity determined by school
Music therapy is a psychological intervention using interactive music making as a form of communication and self-expression to bring about positive change in peoples’ lives. Music therapists can engage and support children and adults of all ages to help with a range of psychological, emotional, social, physiological or behavioural needs. Therapists have specialist training and experience in mental health and learning difficulties, and knowledge and expertise to make recommendations to further support where needed. Children and young people participating in music therapy do not require any prior musical knowledge or skills. Offers and costs are tailored to individual setting and needs.
Music Therapy Outreach Service | Guildhall School of Music & Drama (gsmd.ac.uk) | MusicEducation.Islington@gsmd.ac.uk
SoundSkool
Curriculum support | Voice | Instrumental tuition | Composition & music production | Music performance | Music business
SoundSkool is a not-for-profit music industry college for 16-18's established in 2008. SoundSkool provides fully funded, full time, music courses at levels 2 & 3 in Music Production & Music Performance with core units in Music Business. SoundSkool also provides English and maths GCSEs for students that did not achieve grade 4 and above at school/college.
Based at SoapBox in Islington, this partnership is beneficial to all students as they can access the SoapBox youth provision after college. SoundSkool reimagines education through youth work for the benefit of all the students.
We are recruiting new students for September 2023.
soundskool.co.uk | Instagram: @soundskool | TikTok: @soundskoolmusiccollege
The Musicians' Company
Curriculum support | Composition & music production
KS1, KS2 | SEND, mainstream schools | Free
The Musicians' Company offers free nine session music projects to primary schools. This academic year, they are partnering with Thornhill Primary School and Moreland Primary School to great success. Video, audio and photos from 2022's composition project at Moreland can be seen here.
The Musicians' Company (wcom.org.uk)
The Peel Institute
Curriculum support | Instrumental tuition
EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Youth club/hub | Free | Capacity of 20
Contact | The Peel (peelinstitute.org.uk)
Voices Foundation
Voice
EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3 | SEND, alternative provision, mainstream schools, youth club/hub | Cost per session/term, customised programmes
Voices Foundation is transforming music education throughout the UK, equipping non-specialist teachers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to find their own singing voice and teach music in their classrooms. Strongly believing in the power of singing to impact children’s development, self-esteem and behaviour, their expert practitioners, published handbooks and online resources are all focused on helping schools turn themselves into ‘Singing Schools.’ The charity has partnered with hundreds of schools, academies, Music Education Hubs and more to deliver their award-winning CPD – ranging from bespoke multi-year programmes to one-off sessions.
Join our movement. Contact charlotte.smith@voices.org.uk today.
All Guildhall-led out of school MEI Provisions, including...
- 1:1 tutoring
- Drop-in band practice
- Music Centres
...can be found here:
Out of School Courses | Guildhall School of Music & Drama (gsmd.ac.uk)
11 by 11
11 by 11 is a free programme of creative and cultural activity and resources. It is Islington’s borough wide commitment for schools, cultural organisations and council services to work together to ensure equity of access to enrichment activities for children and young people, particularly targeting those in more challenging circumstances.
The programme includes:
- Termly universal menu of free activities and a summer festival
- Programme of CPD and networking opportunities for teachers, cultural sector and council staff
- Targeted work with children and young people in challenging circumstances
Angel Shed
Voice | Ensemble & future progression | Composition & music production
KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Youth club/hub, own location | Free | Capacity of 15-20 for Music Collective, 120 for all weekly activities
Angel Shed is a space for children and young people of all abilities and backgrounds to access the transformative power of participation in the performing arts. Established in 2004, we have engaged thousands of children and young people across Islington and beyond. We provide an inclusive, creative, and supportive space in which there are no barriers to participation, everyone’s needs are supported, and all voices are listened to and valued. Angel Shed provides a range of performing arts activities (theatre, music, and movement) for members aged 5-19, with regular workshops and performances taking place in professional theatre spaces at City and Islington College.
Maya Shimmin, Company & Volunteer Manager:
info@angelshedtheatre.org.uk | 07910 822 412 | https://www.angelshedtheatre.org.uk/join-us/
Arco
Instrumental tuition
EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Mainstream schools | Variable cost, per session or term | Currently no capacity restrictions
Arco - Music for All is an Islington based music charity, providing accessible high quality violin tuition in groups of up to 12 young people. We believe music education should be a right, not a privilege. We are here to break barriers in classical music, whilst building a community of kind and curious musicians. Our lessons happen on Saturdays at Lift Islington.
Arco - Violin lessons - Islington (arcomusicforall.org)
Breakin' Convention
Breakin’ Convention has been key in developing hip hop theatre genre, celebrated through festivals, international touring, professional developments, youth projects and educational programmes.
Breakin’ Convention runs programmes for all school types and settings, including SEND schools and PRUs.
Our Work — Breakin' Convention (breakinconvention.com)
Clair Music
Composition & music production
KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Youth club/hub, own location | Cost per term | Capacity of 60
Clair Music is creating community around music learning. We help musicians love their practice by creating a platform that makes learning bite sized and social. Clair is built as a social network predicated on encouraging interactions that reward hard work and dedication. Users can see their friends’ and family’s practice posts and accomplishments, thereby celebrate and move forwards together.
Copenhagen Youth Project (CYP)
Voice
KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Youth club/hub | Free | 10-12 per session, no overall limit
CYP music programme gives musically talented and keen young people in local estates an opportunity to nurture their musical talent.
Music – Copenhagen Youth Project (cyproject.org)
Centre for Young Musicians (CYM)
CYM Saturday Centre programmes for ages 8-18 are packed full of classes and musical activities, covering multiple genres and styles. These include classical, jazz, folk, song writing and music technology.
Students can expect to play in at least one ensemble, sing in a choir and attend a supporting studies class each Saturday. Most students also receive an individual one to one instrumental or vocal lesson.
Entry is by audition based on musical potential relative to previous musical experience. Programmes are ideal for those who simply wanting to develop their skills and spend time making music with newfound friends or those thinking about taking their passion for music a step further. Students can be sure to ignite their creativity and have lots of fun, whilst learning from top practitioners and industry professionals.
Financial assistance with fees for all CYM programmes and courses is available through means tested bursaries provided by a number of sources. Bursary application forms are automatically sent to families of students who are offered places at the Saturday Centre or on holiday courses.
For further information about all of the above contact info@cym.org.uk
GYA Kings Cross
Voice | Instrumental tuition | Ensemble & future progression | Composition & music production | Drama & Production Arts
KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Mainstream | Costs per term variable by course, bursaries available | 18-20 students per class
Guildhall Young Artists King’s Cross (GYA King’s Cross) is a brand-new performing and production arts centre. The centre offers an exciting range of Saturday classes, performance opportunities and one-to-one instrument tuition in music, drama, production arts and backstage skills for 5–18-year-olds.
Based at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, young musicians, singers, actors, designers, and stage managers can develop their creativity and access high-quality training with top practitioners and industry professionals, across a variety of styles and genres.
About Guildhall Young Artists King's Cross | Guildhall School of Music & Drama (gsmd.ac.uk)
GYA Online
Voice | Instrumental tuition | Composition & music production | Music theory
KS2, KS3 | Online | Variable cost | No current capacity restrictions
Online lessons and courses for young musicians age 8–18
Young Composers Course
A unique opportunity for composers aged 14–18 to receive one-to-one tutoring, undertake workshops and hear their own composition performed by staff and students from Junior Guildhall and Guildhall School.
One to One Tuition
Individual lessons for all instruments, ages and abilities, with experienced tutors from the Guildhall Young Artists network, including Junior Guildhall.
Grade 5 Theory
Engaging and dynamic group theory lessons for those looking to prepare for their ABRSM Grade 5 Theory exam. Guildhall Young Artists Online is part of Guildhall School’s network of centres across the country, providing inspiring performing and production arts training for children and young people.
Visit gsmd.ac.uk/gya-online for more information
Key Changes
Key Changes Studio Discovery offer a free 5-week programme (5 hours per week) of music industry mentoring for musicians 16 yrs and up experiencing issues with mental health. All activities take place at St Luke's Community Centre.
Activities are run as drop-in sessions and bookable workshops. In 1-to-1 sessions, young people engage in music to improve mental health and receive mentoring as well as career advice.
Kings Place
Performance
EYFS, KS1, KS2 | Music venue | Free | Capacity of up to 200 per time, generally 100 per session
Kings Place - The Cultural Pulse of King’s Cross
London Schools Symphony Orchestra (LSSO)
The London Schools Symphony Orchestra is managed by CYM and gives young musicians aged 14 – 19 and living in London, the opportunity to work with distinguished conductors and accompany some of the world’s most illustrious soloists. The orchestra meets three times a year during the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. Entry is by audition and applicants should have reached a standard at least equivalent to Grade 7.
Hailed by Sir Simon Rattle as "an incomparable ambassador for the dynamism and excellence of British youth", the London Schools Symphony Orchestra has for over seventy years been regarded as one of the country’s foremost youth orchestras. LSSO alumni can be found working in professional orchestras across the UK and beyond.
Financial assistance with fees for all CYM programmes and courses is available through means tested bursaries provided by a number of sources. Bursary application forms are automatically sent to families of students who are offered places at the Saturday Centre or on holiday courses.
For further information about all of the above contact info@cym.org.uk
London Symphony Orchestra
Voice
KS1, KS2, KS3 | Music Making at LSO St. Luke’s | £50 for two terms | Capacity of c. 100 for choirs and over 2000 for school concerts
LSO Discovery Youth choirs: The LSO Discovery Choir is open to young people aged 8–18 that live or go to school in Hackney, Islington or the City (Juniors, ages 8-11) or any London borough (Seniors (secondary school)). The choirs run during the Spring and Summer term on Mondays at LSO St Luke’s (4-5pm Juniors and 5.15-630pm Seniors) and are currently conducted by Lucy Hollins. Each term culminates in a performance either in the Barbican with the LSO or at LSO St Luke’s.
SoapBox
SoapBox Youth Centre works with a wide range of young people from various settings, including PRUs, SEND, Physical Disabilities, looked after children & young offenders. Drop-ins and bookable workshops also take place on site of the Youth Centre.
Sound Connections
Youth voice
KS4+ | Online and in-person | Free | Open to every young person across London
Sound Connections exists to create change. We work across the music community to achieve inclusion, equity and social justice. We do this through supporting young people, the music education workforce, and the wider music education sector. In addition to delivering funded programmes, we offer a comprehensive consultancy service for music, arts, cultural and heritage organisations.
info@sound-connections.org.uk | www.sound-connections.oth.uk | Twitter: @sconnections
The Peel Institute
Instrumental tuition
EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Youth club/hub | Free | Capacity of 20
Contact | The Peel (peelinstitute.org.uk)
The Piano Works
Performance | Employment
KS4+ | Own location | Free | Capacity of 400 but must be 18+
The Piano Works are the only non-stop live music venues playing audience requests in the UK.
Each night a six-piece band consisting of two pianists, a drummer, guitarist, bassist and horn player take to the stage to perform what ever the audience asks for. We employ over 90 musicians, allowing them to receive regular work and income, up to seven nights a week.
Opened seven years ago in Farringdon, we play to over 300k music lovers each year.
Union Chapel Project
Voice | Instrumental tuition | Composition & music production
KS2, KS3, KS4+ | Alternative provision, youth club/hub, own location | Largely free | Variable capacity, from 1-1 tuition to large family events/concerts for 900
Union Chapel runs a personalised learning programme which aims to help children and young people to reach their full potential by creating the best opportunities to compose, play and engage with the chapel's magnificent organ. Union Chapel works with students from all school settings.
