Students and those living with dementia to benefit from latest Music for All initiatives

Over the summer, the Harris Foundation for Lifelong Learning announced its support for UK charity Music for All. Since then, there has been plenty of activity. Here are some of the exciting initiatives in progress right now…

Harris Foundation Schools Progression Award 2023

The first round of funding for Music for All‘s new Harris Foundation Schools Progression Award closed at the end of last month. Designed to support schools who are looking to enhance their music offering for groups, the award has attracted significant attention, highlighting the great need for investment in this area.

Currently, applications are being carefully considered by external assessors. In January 2024, applicants will find out whether they have been successful in gaining a grant.

LPO BrightSparks Concerts

It can be a thrilling and wondrous experience to be in the audience when an orchestra is performing live. Each year, the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) gives around 10,000 students the chance to do just that as part of its BrightSparks project.

For this academic year, the Jeniffer & Jonathan Charitable Trust has donated seats for children from three schools, identified by Music for All. Each school is putting forward a group of students to attend one of the three BrightSparks concerts. These are being held at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, home of the LPO, between now and next Spring.

The first concert takes place this week, for GCSE students, on Thursday 23 November 2023. For Key Stage 1 pupils, there will be a separate concert on Thursday 22 February 2024 and for Key Stage 2 pupils a concert will be held on Wednesday 8 May 2024.

Power of Music Fund

‘Our mission is to change the landscape of the music and dementia provision for underrepresented demographics, including but not limited to those from the global majority, who are disabled, culturally underserved or from working class or low socio-economic backgrounds.’

Music for All, Power of Music Fund partner

This month has seen the launch of a new partnership through the Power of Music Fund. Managed by the National Academy of Social Prescribing, the fund has a range of partners including Music for All. Together, they will provide vital support to music groups who work with those living with dementia and their carers.

The Jeniffer & Jonathan Charitable Trust is donating to this worthy initiative, which opens for applications this week. Now, the fund’s partners are encouraging all those who wish to donate or offer their support to get in touch. Music for All can be contacted via email on help@musicforallorg.uk.

The money raised will go towards grassroots projects such as dementia choirs, musical activities for carers and other initiatives supporting people through music. Alongside this, the fund is contributing to a Centre of Excellence designed to help embed music within dementia care for the benefit of many more people in the future.