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City music programme to continue after £650k grant

Alexandra Bassingham
BBC News, Bristol
Soul Media Children from Horfield CE Primary school at Earthsong day at Bristol Beacon, 2024. The children are in school uniform style outfits and the main children - four of them, are all holding clarinets. They have music stands in front of them and are all sitting as if ready to begin playing. Soul Media
Children from Horfield CE Primary school developing their music skills at Earthsong day, Bristol Beacon, last year

Children in 11 city primary schools will be able to have specialist music education after a grant of more than £650,000 was pledged to keep their programme going for another five years.

The Earthsong Programme is the only one of its kind in the UK, and the result of a partnership between the Earthsong Foundation and Bristol Beacon.

The project will benefit about 4,000 children from Bristol schools, aged 4-11, with lessons from pitch, rhythm and tempo to composing music.

The first phase, between 2019-24, focussed on children from areas of multiple deprivation and involved more than 3,000 pupils.

Soul Media Children from Horfield CE Primary school holding clarinets and one with a recorder, wearing school uniform and focussed on music in front of them. They look like they are mid-playing.Soul Media
Horfield CE Primary is one of the schools that benefits from the programme

Adam Kent, 43, Director of Creative Learning and Engagement at Bristol Beacon said the extension of the programme helps children "discover themselves as musicians".

"They perform in their schools and on the main stage at the Bristol Beacon, enjoying all of these fantastic, life affirming experiences..."

"And we're really excited to continue that for another five years," he added.

As someone who struggled academically at school due to dyslexia, he said music "clicked" for him and helped his confidence.

"So for me, it's lovely to offer a similar experience to more young people across Bristol," he added.

The 11 Bristol schools participating in the Earthsong Programme are Ashley Down Primary School, Brunel Field Primary School, Cabot Primary School, Evergreen Primary Academy, Fonthill Primary Academy and Horfield Church of England Primary School.

Also included are Minerva Primary Academy, Parson Street Primary School, St Mary Redcliffe Church of England Primary School, Stoke Park Primary School and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School.

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