Harrow Music Service Annual Report 20-21

HMS ANNUAL REPORT 2020-21

I love playing music as it relaxes me and lets me focus on nice things HMS student, 2021

www.harrowmusic.org

FROM AN HMS TEACHER… My music journey started pretty young on guitar (aged 6) and for a long time it was just a hobby that I enjoyed. I was quite happy to go to weekly lessons and keep ticking along with a grade every year or so. The thing that changed playing an instrument into something I wished to do as a living was playing with peers in my teenage years, away from the “music exam bubble”.

This came about in various ways. Firstly, my home county of Northamptonshire has a fantastic music programme for under 18s. I initially went to a Saturday morning centre and then later into more serious weekday evening rehearsals, through jazz ensembles, classical guitar groups and rock bands. Seeing people my own age being that much better at music than me was a far greater motivator than a teacher or parent telling me go work on something ever was.

My secondary school’s music department in the time I was there, went from being quite mediocre to really quite good by sixth form. In the final years, I was doing the big band, the orchestra and occasional piano accompaniment work and they were all of a good standard. Coming into school on days and suddenly getting messages from department staff saying “are you free on this date/can you play for this thing?” was a feeling I grew to love and still stays with me today when my phone pings with something! The idea of being recognised and then entrusted with a responsibility to do the job well (both the actual note playing and all the other non‐playing skills needed to be a working musician) was one that motivated me greatly to be the best version of myself. The “musician’s hang” as I shall call it; that is to say all the waiting around from load‐ in, during rehearsal, between rehearsal and the gig and then after the gig, it really sorted out my social skills.

Before that I was pretty shy and wouldn’t take the initiative when it came to conversing with strangers.

Because of that, I can now walk into a rehearsal where I know nobody and not feel nervous.

I also at the age of 14 got involved with the worship band at my church. Sometimes I played guitar and others piano. It was very much a piano led band, so if I was on that chair I was essentially the MD. Having to occasionally give leadership to a group of people in their 30s and 40s on a Friday evening was another steep learning curve but one that looking back really was laying the stones for becoming an instrumental teacher.

Kieran Gunter, HMS Guitar Teacher

HMS student voices… l It is SUPER amazingly FUN!!!!!!!!! l Cannot wait to join the orchestra next year l It’s really fun to hear myself l It was great and now I can show my family all the songs I’ve learnt l I love moving up to the next level l I love playing music as it relaxes me and lets me focus on nice things l It is very fun but a bit challenging 2

STEEL PAN LESSONS DURING LOCKDOWN BY DEXTER JOSEPH, STEEL PAN TEACHER Dear Mr Dexter, Thank you for the wonderful sessions you have done with all three of my children during the half term. They have been putting something together on the violin, steel pans and keyboard.

You have so kindly and generously given up your time. It’s given the children something to focus on and they’ve really enjoyed it! You’ve been truly inspirational!

Thank you so much.

I do hope we get to meet in person sometime soon so we can thank you properly.

Best wishes Meera Shah, parent of 3 children having HMS Instrumental lessons

HARROW MUSIC SERVICE WHERE MUSIC COMES FIRST We firmly believe there is a bright message of hope coming through from 2020‐21. We encountered vision, determination, team spirit, compassion and sheer drive to keep music going from headteachers, heads of music, music teachers, the HMS workforce and above all pupils and parents.

What we did l HMS Festivals: Band, Guitar, Strings, Summer Music, Song Festival all delivered online. See pages 6‐7 for the video links l Instrumental and Vocal Lessons for some 2,500 pupils delivered via Zoom and in‐ person l Music’sCool programmes, whole class instrumental, cultural and enrichment programmes were delivered via Teams, Zoom, Charanga and Padlet l I Promise to See You at Christmas/Wish You Well composed by Jonathan Preiss for the Choral Video Project

l The formation of a new network for equality, diversity and inclusion: the Represent Music Network l Celebration videos for the Windrush Celebrations in August and Black History Month in October 2020 l New ways of working such as tuning workshops and instrument demos, now online and easily accessible l Exciting projects with our partner organisations such as the London Chamber Orchestra and Tomorrow’s Warriors l Developed new opportunities through our Music Technology production programme

HMS IN NUMBERS l 20 Harrow schools nominated for Music Mark status l 2,500 pupils received their instrumental lessons via Zoom or in person every week

l 5 online HMS Festivals or music projects l 24 HMS Instrument video demonstrations shared with schools and parents l 5 active HMEH partner organisations

l 62 HMS teachers taught 589 hours of instrumental lessons in 47 primary and senior schools every week

l 16 Harrow pupils receive music bursaries and scholarships from 3 charities

l 21,204 hours of highly skilled and specialised teaching of some 2,500 pupils from beginner to grade 8 and above (including those applying for Conservatoire) during the year

l 740 HMS instruments collected from schools to be serviced or repaired and relabelled

l 65 parents attended an instrumental tuning zoom session for violin or guitar

l 60 new instruments purchased

l 1,800 pupils in 5 schools had Music’sCool lessons, taught for 30 hours every week

l 87 new bows purchased for violins and cellos

l 6 HMS ensembles relaunched

l 61 new cases purchased for violins, violas and trumpets

l 4 collaborative projects with public performances

3

HARROW MUSIC SERVICE WHERE MUSIC COMES FIRST As a music service we have learned new technical skills in working digitally and recording and presenting online, as well as new ways of working – whether remotely, blended or in‐person – allowing us to reach out to parents and families in a more direct way than was possible before.

HMS Ensembles reintroduced at Harrow Arts Centre: James Wolfe BRAVO Manager We were delighted to restart our HMS ensembles free of charge in summer term 2021.

HMS Band Club, HMS Junior Brass, HMS Senior Brass, HMS Junior Strings and HMS Senior Strings all started up again at Harrow Arts Centre on weekday evenings, giving young musicians the all‐ important chance to come together to play music and make friends.

Festivals during 2020-21: Anne Fairbank, Festivals Manager 2020‐21 was an exciting year for HMS Festivals online, with a varied choice of pieces combined with guest performers, HMS conductors and coaches. It was our top priority that young musicians from Harrow schools continue to have the invaluable performance opportunities and shared musical experiences that HMS Festivals provide.

4

REPRESENT Music Network Harrow - our vision by Michelle Genis Represent Music Network was founded

by Michelle Genis, HMS Teacher of Steel Pans and Piano as a response to the murder of George Floyd and to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Following a consultation on race, equality and representation with HMS staff and HMEH members, Michelle proposed a platform to raise awareness and support positive initiatives around race and culture to address injustices whilst empowering young people. Aims: l To promote diverse music and musical activities in the borough l To ensure a wider range of musical genres and related activities are fairly represented and accessible to all l To empower/encourage young people to embrace and share their cultural identities through music making and creativity l To create a platform for young people to share their views and access information relevant to music and its wider social context

Thank you I just wanted to thank you for recommending us to become a Music Mark School. It was a lovely surprise to receive this good news at a time like this!

Thank you to you and your team for ensuring Harrow schools are well supported music wise.

Best wishes, Caroline Lansdown, Headteacher, Stanburn Primary School

The Harrow Music Service Team Sue McCall Manager Monika Clifford‐Varley Deputy Manager

Anne Fairbank Festivals Manager Mandy Marcus Administrative Officer

Lynn Mortmore Finance Officer Nicola Seymour Music’sCool Manager James Wolfe BRAVO Manager

COLLABORATING WITH OTHERS HMS works collaboratively with leading organisations to provide innovative music projects for schools and communities, free of charge or at very low cost. Whether it be providing the instruments (e.g. for Music Junction), making fundraising applications, offering management and administrative support, or actively helping to deliver workshops, our priority is to enable as many enriching projects as possible.

Here are some examples:

Reggae Ticket South Bank Festival changing:minds HMS Manager Sue McCall and Hazel Paterson, ex HT of Kingsley High School came together in 2018 to apply for funding from John Lyon’s Charity for a three‐year Arts programme for Harrow’s Special School students funded

by John Lyon’s Charity, supported by HMS and delivered by CREATE’s professional artists. The programme enabled students at Kingsley High School, Shaftesbury High School, Alexandra, Woodlands and the Kaleidoscope Unit at West Lodge School, to experience different art forms with an environmental theme ‘Earth/On the ground’ and produce communal performance/presentations.

20‐21 was the second year of the project. The resulting Ceramics, Dance, Drama and Paintings were shared online and appreciated by many viewers who no doubt changed their minds about what students with SEND are capable of doing, being and achieving, including advocating for a better environment.

20 instrumental and vocal HMS students came together to experience workshops and rehearsals with Tomorrow’s Warriors musicians Ben Burrell and Mark Kavuma plus Queen’s Music Medal holder Gary Crosby and drummer for Jazz Jamaica Rod Youngs. They performed ‘My Boy Lollipop’ and ‘Cantaloupe Island’ at the South Bank Centre for a live performance presented by Dennis Bovell. What a truly inspiring experience for young musicians! https://vimeo.com/62226268 1/890e2fa45a

Windrush: Gospel to Grime concert Harrow African Caribbean Association, Harrow Steel, Harrow Community Gospel Choir and Harrow Music Service were awarded funding for an educational event/concert for all ages. This celebratory concert took place on August 12th 2021 and featured oral histories, young Grime artists, an interview with DJ Daddy Ernie about Gregory Isaacs, and performances from all of the above. https://harrowarts.com/gospe l‐to‐grime‐concert

London Chamber Orchestra Music Junction Pupils from Kenmore Park Junior, Cedars Manor and Shaftesbury High School, mentored by senior boys from The John Lyon School and supported by musicians from London Chamber Orchestra, came together for a series of workshops to play and create music around a piece by Cheryl Frances‐Hoad, The Exciting Marvellous Mars. The pupils learnt to play orchestral instruments for the first time, and were loaned their own personal instrument from HMS to take home and practice with, building up to a video performance with musicians from the London Chamber Orchestra. Monika Clifford‐Varley prepares the instruments needed every year, such as trumpets, trombones, flutes, violins, cellos or percussion, and supports the workshop delivery and project evaluation. This was the third year of Music Junction in Harrow, and working online opened up new possibilities for experiencing music through video and graphics. https://youtu.be/xVq5a6Xas4E 5

HMS EVENTS & VIDEOS

Black History Month: Get Up Stand Up October 2020 98 instrumentalists including Steel Pan players, African drummers and one amazing singer played along to a backing track to create this piece for Black History Month assembled by Wayne Hau. https://vimeo.com/470088988

Choral project: I Promise to See You at Christmas HMS ran workshops for 23 schools and nearly 2,000 pupils took part in learning Jonathan Preiss’s beautiful song and performing it in their bubbles. This HMS video was chosen by Music for Youth to appear on their MfY Wall and be their 2021 Christmas Card!

Can't stop the beat Around 20 members of the Harrow Music Service staff team plus two special guests played/sang together – a range of music from Bollywood hit Kal Ho Na Ho to Nina Simone via Prokofiev and many others! https://vimeo.com/48597 1166 6

https://vimeo.com/490524287

Guitar Festival February 2021 Over 50 HMS student guitarists performed at home and at school for our two HMS Guitar Festival videos. https://vimeo.com/535257716/200d30a5b2 https://vimeo.com/535268972/05ce2ac253

Band Festival: Rock Steady Around 40 wind, brass and percussion players taught

by HMS teachers playing to James Wolfe's backing track at home.

HMS commission: SongBREAK

https://vimeo.com/49113 4117

https://vimeo.com/514988216/0dd7d2604b https://vimeo.com/538291541/04c0054b64

HMS wanted to encourage children to keep singing – so we asked Vicky Simmonds, opera singer and director of Kids Choir Harrow to make some videos for schools!

Instrument Demos Instrument demonstration videos for parents and students made by our talented and skilled HMS teachers: 24 videos ranging from the Bassoon to the Sitar! For the full list of video links, click here: http://www.harrowmusic.org/choose‐an‐instrument‐to‐play/ https://vimeo.com/538279215 https://vimeo.com/520923802

Culture Recovery Fund #Let the Music Play Summer Festival Videos

String Festival: Teri Meri and Shake Rattle and Roll Over 100 student violinists, viola players, cellists and some rare double bass players made these videos with the help of the very dedicated string team (behind the cameras!) https://vimeo.com/56794 8081/5002c104e1 https://vimeo.com/56861 9715/90105cd38a

Hundreds of singers in Harrow schools learned Si Si Ni Moja and Wonderful World, courtesy of Jo McNally, which formed part of the Summer Festival videos.

Culture Recovery Funding enabled HMS to invest in putting together five performance videos starring over forty groups of soloists, trios, quartets and classes playing everything from Bob Marley to Beethoven. Most of these groups were coached and directed by Harrow Music Service staff as part of our provision, while some were entirely the work of the fabulous Music Coordinators and teachers in schools! https://vimeo.com/568202940/95d59940f1 https://vimeo.com/568203311 https://vimeo.com/568203576 https://vimeo.com/568203802 https://vimeo.com/568204037 7

WITH THANKS FOR SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR Harrow Music Service is directly funded by a grant from Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Education. With the funding HMS undertakes Core and Extension roles designed to ensure every child (5‐18) has the chance to learn a musical instrument, the opportunity to play and perform, clear progression routes and the ability to sing regularly. ACE maintains a close and positive relationship with HMS. Extension roles include Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for schools, an instrument loan service and access to large scale and/or high‐quality music experiences. The new Model Music Curriculum was launched in March 2021 with a fresh emphasis on performing, composing and listening skills, and with an explicit expectation that children will have these opportunities provided in every school.

The Culture Recovery Fund was set up to support cultural organisations through the impact of the pandemic. With venues closed, seats empty and few opportunities for live events, the teaching and performing of music faced a particularly bleak period.

Thanks to a successful joint application for Harrow Music Service, the Harrow Arts Centre and Headstone Manor Heritage Museum, HMS was awarded funding with which to undertake some important work, leading to a borough music service even more resilient and ready for the future. The major elements paid for by the CRF funding included: The Instrument Project – allowed us to inventory, repair and store the many HMS instruments located in schools around the borough. HMS has always lent instruments free of charge to schools, and over the years many schools have built up sizeable stocks, but it is logistically difficult to maintain and manage so many instruments at a distance. We were able to create bespoke storage spaces at Harrow Arts 8

Centre and to undertake a large‐scale maintenance programme, sending hundreds of our instruments for repair or servicing over the summer – with thanks to Thwaites Stringed Instruments, Prozone Music, Musical Cocktails, David Coltman Strings and JAS Musicals who carried out the work. We were also able to invest in new barcode labels ready for a new software system planned for 21‐22, replace worn cases and bows, and buy more instruments where stocks were low.

Music Technology Pilot – we know there are barriers to participation in Music Technology for young people, whether due to financial, gender‐related or other reasons. Mike Perry, our Lead

Teacher for Music Technology created a music production programme which was piloted at Park High and resulted in several short music videos, composed, produced and recorded by the students. We firmly believe Music Technology should be an option available to all students, at primary as well as senior schools. The pilot programme is now being extended to other schools and will become an important part of our work.

Summer Festival – the HMS Digital Summer Festival 2021 combined solo and ensemble performances from schools to make a week‐long series of concerts. Five concerts were individually mixed for audio and vision to create five distinctive online events – each with a rich mix of different music styles and genres, easily accessible for unlimited viewing.

Future Equipment – HMS has now been able to invest in digital devices to support the teaching and learning of both digital and acoustic music projects as we develop more work in this area.

Harrow Music Service is the lead organisation in Harrow Music Education Hub. HMS meets with, works with and supports members of the Hub. The Steering Group of Harrow Music Education Hub is chaired

by Jo Hester, Head Teacher of St. John’s Church of England Primary School, and has representatives from parents, governors, ex HMS students, young people in the Music industry, Harrow Council and all the Hub member organisations. Meet the HMEH member organisations:

Harrow schools and their staff, students and parents/carers

Harrow Tamil School Association HTSA is a non‐political, non‐profitable secular, cultural, educational and artistic organization for the Tamil community and others who are interested in Tamil culture and tradition. They deliver high quality lessons in South Indian instruments at their Saturday school.

Website: http://www.htsa.org.uk/

Harrow Young Musicians HYM provides higher level ensemble opportunities for instrumental students in Harrow and further afield including HYM Philharmonic Orchestra and String and Band ensembles. They regularly hold concerts at LSO St Luke’s in London. Website: www.hym.org.uk

Harrow Schools are all partners with HMS in providing Music education to students. Primary and Secondary school Heads of Music and Senior Leaders provide the framework and vision within which Harrow Music Service works. Twenty of these schools were nominated by Harrow Music Service as Music Mark schools last year for their particular focus on music making and music education: Cannon Lane Primary, Cedars Manor Primary, Glebe Primary, Grimsdyke Primary, Norbury Primary, Nower Hill High, Pinner High, Pinner Wood Primary, Pinner Park Primary, Rooks Heath College, Sacred Heart Language College, St George’s Catholic Primary, St John Fisher Catholic Primary, St John’s Church of England Primary, St Teresa’s Catholic Primary, Stanburn Primary, Vaughan Primary, West Lodge Primary, Whitchurch Primary, and Whitmore High School.

Tomorrow’s Warriors Tomorrow’s Warriors is a leading talent development agency, creative producer, music educator and consultancy specialising in jazz. Founded in 1991, it helps aspiring young artists discover their magic, nurture nascent talent, achieve creative ambitions, and build engaged, diverse audiences. TW champions diversity, inclusion and equality. Website: https://tomorrowswarriors.org

Pandit Ram Sahai Sangeet Vidalaya (PRSSV) PRSSV educates the public and advances Indian performing arts and world music and dance in the UK and overseas by providing classes in North Indian and South Indian music and dance, programming events, producing resources and teaching materials, providing examinations in all Indian performing arts and other world music subjects leading to accredited qualifications, and running heritage projects. Website: https://www.prssv.org/ 9

ACHIEVING MUSICAL POTENTIAL Thanks to the generous support of the John Lyon’s Charity, London Music Fund and The Peter Hinkley Trust, young musicians in Harrow can access music bursaries and scholarships when costs are a barrier. In addition to these, Harrow Music Service offers a 50% remission in fees to pupils applying to Harrow Young Musicians, BRAVO out‐of‐school lessons and other Harrow Music Service ensembles if they meet the criteria of financial need. For more information about music bursaries and scholarships contact Monika.clifford‐varley@harrow.gov.uk

John Lyon's Charity Music Bursaries The John Lyon’s Charity Music bursaries support twelve pupils at Harrow schools with exceptional musical ability but in financial need, for up to four years each. The music bursaries pay for instrumental lessons, instruments, sheet music, concert tickets and anything else needed to help a young musician pursue their musical journey. Last year, a mix of regular lessons on Zoom and in person allowed the music scholars to continue their musical development, take online exams, and fulfil their potential. The music bursaries are available every year and can be applied for by schools, parents or teachers.

10

London Music Fund Music Scholarships London Music Fund awards four‐year music Scholarships to children who have started learning an instrument and are doing really well, but whose families find it difficult to pay for music lessons. Scholarship applications are submitted by Harrow Music Service, and children are usually put forward by a teacher at their primary school. We are delighted to have scholars from Harrow form part of this group.

Peter Hinkley Trust The Peter Hinkley Trust was set up to support and encourage young musicians in the Harrow area. Over the years, many students have benefitted from this charity, which has given children opportunities to grow and learn, experiencing music at its best.

The PHT believes every child deserves to enjoy music and relishes the opportunity to give a helping hand to those who may not otherwise be able to take part.

PARTNERS H EADSTONE MANO MA NOR

11

GET UP STAND UP – A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE! I think the video is fantastic! Really well done to all involved – a great achievement!

Thanks for inviting us to be part of it!

Alastair Phillips, Head Teacher, Cannon Lane Primary School

Harrow Steel, From Gospel to Grime (Windrush Project) August 2021

Harrow Music Service c/o Harrow Arts Centre 171 Uxbridge Road Hatch End HA5 4EA T: 020 3773 7166 E: harrowmusicservice@harrow.gov.uk

www.harrowmusic.org