What is In Harmony?
In Harmony is the community development programme aimed at using music to bring positive change to the lives of very young children in some of the most deprived areas of England, delivering benefits across the wider community.

What is the principle behind the programme?
The programme encourages participation in music – in the form of the Symphony Orchestra – which can have huge personal benefits for the children involved, providing opportunities to grow and develop, both socially and musically.

How is In Harmony going to work?
Children, some as young as four, from the most deprived areas in the country will be taught musical instruments by music leaders. They will then be brought into full scale orchestras and encouraged to play live in front of audiences from an early stage.

Where has the idea for In Harmony come from?
In Harmony is inspired by the hugely successful Venezuelan project El Sistema and is chaired by world renowned cellist, Julian Lloyd-Webber.

Who is implementing In Harmony and where is it being introduced?
There are three areas and organisations chosen to deliver the In Harmony programme in England – these are:
• West Everton by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
• Norwich through the Norwich & Norfolk Community Arts (NORCA)
• Lambeth via Lambeth Music Services and The Southbank

Why were these areas chosen?
The areas of West Everton, Norwich and Lambeth where the projects are based have been identified as some of the most deprived areas in England. In each of these areas, there are music services and other organisations that demonstrated the drive, determination and strategic oversight to deliver the In Harmony programme. On that basis these areas were chosen as our projects.

How did the areas demonstrate their capabilities?
The DCSF invited tenders to run projects from individuals, community groups, local authorities, music organisations and consortiums in September 2008. The winning bids were chosen by members of the In Harmony steering group, chaired by world renowned cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber and announced on December 3rd, 2008.

How much funding is behind the programme?
Each organisation made a successful bid for a share of £3million, over the next three years.

Why is the programme restricted to England?
In Harmony is an English programme funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families which only has responsibilities in England. Therefore the In Harmony projects needed to involve communities in England only.

What age group are the children involved?
It is envisaged that at the start of the programme children learning instruments for the first time will be aged around 4. This means that by the end of the three years they would be around 7 or 8. The programme is designed to take account of that but also address the longer-term future of the children and young people who sign up to the programme.

What definition are you using for orchestral music and symphony orchestra?
The whole premise on which the In Harmony programme is based is that children are brought together within a traditional western classical tradition symphony orchestra – as they are in El Sistema. There is flexibility within that for different groupings – size and instruments, but we envisage the projects being based on the traditional orchestra.

What happens once the pilot projects are over or have achieved all they can?
In Harmony is a long-term undertaking and we will look to the first three projects to show what effect this approach has on the children taking part and the communities in which they live. As the projects develop we will consider options for the future of the programme.

Can the public see the children’s performances?
Each project will be staging public performances in their areas and each is responsible for publicising and promoting these in each of their local areas. Alternatively, you can contact the In Harmony Press Office (inharmony@77pr.co.uk / 020 7492 0977) where press officers can provide further information.

How can my children get involved?
If you live in one of the project areas and you would like your child to take part, contact the In Harmony Press Office (inharmony@77pr.co.uk / 020 7492 0977) where press officers can provide further information.

What happens if I don’t live in a project area?
If you don’t live in one of the project areas it is not possible for your child to take part, however you can support the programme by attending public performances and speaking to your local music service about your local music provision. Contact the In Harmony Press Office (inharmony@77pr.co.uk / 020 7492 0977) where press officers can provide further information.