Led by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, In Harmony Liverpool launched in March 2009 along with the Phil’s new rehearsal and education centre in West Everton, Liverpool Phil at the Friary, and is being delivered in partnership with Faith Primary School, resident-led West Everton Community Council, Liverpool Music Support Service and Liverpool Hope University. Our intention is to have a significant positive impact on the wellbeing, confidence, aspirations and attainment of children at Faith Primary School and in the West Everton community.

Faith Primary School is the only school in West Everton, which is one of the most deprived areas of the country. Every child at Faith is making music every day of the week, working with a team of highly skilled musicians led by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra violinist, Sally Anne Anderson, as Artistic Director (In Harmony). Student volunteers from Liverpool Hope University support the team.

81 children, including Faith Primary School’s Reception class and 11 members of staff including teachers, teaching assistants, the head teacher and the school secretary are participating in the daily music activities.

On Thursday 23rd April 2009, Faith Primary School took delivery of 92 free instruments, ranging from violins, violas and cellos to double basses and had their first In Harmony instrumental lessons. The very next day saw the first whole school orchestra session at Liverpool Phil at the Friary located adjacent to Faith Primary School.

The In Harmony Liverpool weekly music programme is:

• Shake Up and Sing, singing and movement every morning to get children focussed for school, with many opportunities for children to conduct and lead songs for the rest of the school;
• Whole School Singing on Monday afternoons;
• Instrumental lessons every Monday and Thursday mornings on violin, viola, cello and double bass for all children and all school staff;
• West Everton Children’s Orchestra rehearsals every Friday afternoon at Liverpool Phil at the Friary;
• Musicianship sessions every week for every class, including tailored music making sessions for children at Early Years Foundation Stage;
• Instrument practice clubs running every lunchtime and after school.

In addition to this core programme, the children, staff, parents and the local community attend concerts at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, including full symphony orchestra and smaller ensembles, and the whole school has participated in the Phil’s extensive schools concert programme, which this year reached 22,000 children and young people. Additional programmes are planned for the school holiday periods, whilst maintaining regular instrumental tuition and orchestra rehearsals.

100 people including children and community members from West Everton visited the Southbank in April 2009, with front row seats for a performance by El Sistema’s main youth orchestra, the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra. This was inspirational for the West Everton children, who bowed and plucked along with their imaginary violins and cellos,

West Everton - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

In Harmony Liverpool
Led by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Jayne Garrity
Jayne.Garrity@liverpoolphil.com
0151 210 3791