ARTS AND CULTURE
Let the music PLAY ON It’s been nearly a year since the first national lockdown changed life as we know it. Caroline Morris, Head of the Brent Music Service, updates us on what they’ve been up to
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n March 2020, we barely knew what Zoom was. In just two weeks, our dedicated teachers created two online resources for the 2,000+ instrument and vocal students and the 9,000+ primary school children we teach each week. That summer term we taught over 5,000 online lessons. “We were so pleased to get back into schools and see our pupils again last September. Although we had to make some changes to ensure that teaching was safe. Normally we sing in all primary school lessons and share drums and ukuleles but this wasn’t possible. B&Q Cricklewood came to our rescue by donating 1,650 buckets to use as drums and this was great fun for both staff and pupils. “We were so proud last term to facilitate creating the Brent Anthem “Sparks Fly” with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, composer James Redwood and a group of 15 young Brent
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YOUR BRENT | SPRING 2021
musicians. “Sparks Fly” will be performed by thousands of school children over the next two years, culminating with a performance in Brent Makes Music at Wembley Arena in 2022. “In winter we had our only live performance of the year as some of our brass players brought some much needed festive cheer to the Designer Outlet in Wembley. “This year all teaching is online again and we have been busy ensuring there are opportunities for all young musicians in lockdown. Please follow us on social media or check online to see what’s available – www.bit.ly/bmsinfo. “I am proud that music has been playing on to contribute positively to the lives of so many Brent children. I thank all our partner schools and organisations for their hard work and support throughout the past year. Without them, none of this would have been possible.”
