Mid Pennine Arts art+people+places

About

This project follows from a pilot project in 2014 (Wonderful Things in Song) in which Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) settings (ie nurseries) in Burnley and Pendle took part.  Wonderful Things in Song introduced children, and their families, to music at the atmospheric heritage site, Gawthorpe Hall, in order to develop a rich musical response. The children were encouraged to create and share songs inspired by the Hall’s collection and learn about one another's cultural heritage through music making. 

The project had a significant impact on the development of the children who participated, more than we had anticipated.

“I think it has made us even more aware of how powerful music can be to develop communication. We have plans to develop this even more throughout the curriculum this year.”

“Staff have benefited from seeing a music expert in practise and plan to use the songs and techniques with their groups… (They saw that) just by using their voices the children will develop their confidence and communication skills.”

“The project reinforced our value and understanding of music as a tool for communication, we want to revisit this next term for children who have lack of confidence in speaking… it just adds an extra dimension to our work.”

In partnership with the settings and the specialist music leaders involved in the pilot we have devised a new programme intended to further develop and extend that successful model to fully embed music making within the core work of the settings and the everyday lives of the children.

Songs from the Singing Ringing Tree aims to support the development of children at three EYFS settings in Burnley and Pendle, targeting participants at risk of delayed development who are at socio-economic disadvantage and/or speak English as an additional language. We will be working in partnership to deliver a sustained programme of music making activity with 120 children aged 3 to 4 years over the course of a full academic year, using Mid Pennine Arts' public realm work to inspire a rich musical response, such as the Singing Ringing Tree.

The work will be delivered by five specialist Early Years Music Leaders who will collaborate to develop and share best practise in early years music.  To ensure that the project has a legacy beyond its timespan, it will also will include CPD for 12 entry level EYFS staff through a personalised package of training and mentoring, so that they will develop the skills to continue to use music within their practice beyond the life of the project.
 

“Brilliant idea bringing in experts, it helped staff with knowledge and understanding which will feed through to day to day work.”

“It changed my perception of how the children like music, I know now that anything can be a song - washing, tidying etc. and that everyone has a voice – we do voices in group times (loud, quiet, robot.)”

“The staff enjoyed joining in, but sometimes lacked confidence in delivering themselves. One member of staff has since gone on training in music and how it can be used to deliver letters and sounds development, but other staff are sometimes reticent to use it without a music professional.”

“The strategies our Music Leader used has confirmed some of the work that our setting was already doing, e.g. sounding out syllables, but he also showed staff how to use children's ideas and bring music into that, staff were worried they wouldn't get it right but he has shown them how to take the lead from the children.”

Youth Music

Music-making is life-changing. Every year, Youth Music provides more than 90,000 young people with the opportunity to make music, helping them to overcome the challenges they face in their lives. Our music projects support young people to develop their creative and social skills, make positive contributions to their community and improve their wellbeing.

We know that many young people still need our help. Join us in our mission to give every child the chance to make music. Visit www.youthmusic.org.uk