Grants to create music projects for school aged children and young people have been awarded to nine Worcestershire musicians/music organisations by Severn Arts.  

Recognising that this is a particularly difficult time for freelance musicians and small music organisations Severn Arts and Worcestershire Music Education Hub invited applications for a grant of £300 per musician/small music organisation to create a piece of work for schools that could be shared digitally based on the theme #KeepMakingMusic.  

A total of nine projects were selected from the many applications received. Each of the projects focus on music curriculum activities such as keeping and understanding the beat, use of rhythm, setting lyrics to a tune and performance as well as providing elements of musical development for teachers. The projects are varied and fun and include constructing a simple tune using the chords on a piano, performances, creating and performing a leavers song, instrument making, music quizzes and games. 

Laura Worsfold, Severn Arts CEO said: “We are delighted to be supporting our music partners and colleagues to offer Worcestershire schools a wonderful programme that we hope will help them to engage and inspire their pupils at a time when some will be returning to school and some remaining at home. Our sole aim is to celebrate the power of music to delight, celebrate and provide comfort when needed.” 

Gaynor Larkin from Armonico Consort commented: “Armonico Consort are delighted to be working in partnership with Severn Arts to bring an exciting song-writing project to Worcestershire schools.  

“Our project asks children who are in their final year at middle and primary schools to write a 'leavers song', with the aid of five videos and a folder of backing tracks. The project is inclusive and will enable children of differing abilities to access the resource material, thus benefitting from the mental and physical benefits that are associated with music whilst fulfilling key aspects of the Literacy and Music National Curriculum through their creative imagination. We cannot wait to see the amazing results our fantastic young people come up with!  

The #KeepMakingMusic projects will be shared with all Worcestershire schools ahead of the second half of the summer-term and made available for anyone to access via the Severn Arts website www.severnarts.org.uk from the beginning of June.