Lewisham Music is an award-winning youth charity, and the lead partner for Lewisham Music Education Hub.

In partnership with local and national organisations, we deliver and support a range of musical opportunities in schools and community settings across Lewisham with the aim of creating positive change in young people’s lives.

 

Our aims and objectives

 

The National Plan for Music Education sets out Core and Extension objectives for Music Education Hubs:

Core roles

 

  • Ensure that every child aged 5-18 has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument (other than voice) through whole-class ensemble teaching programmes for ideally a year (but for a minimum of a term) of weekly tuition on the same instrument.

  • Provide opportunities to play in ensembles and to perform from an early stage.

  • Ensure that clear progression routes are available and affordable to all young people.

  • Develop a singing strategy to ensure that every pupil sings regularly and that choirs and other vocal ensembles are available in the area.

 

Extension roles

 

  • Offer CPD to school staff, particularly in supporting schools to deliver music in the curriculum.

  • Provide an instrument loan service, with discounts or free provision for those on low incomes.

  • Provide access to large scale and / or high-quality music experiences for pupils, working with professional musicians and / or venues. This may include undertaking work to publicise the opportunities available to schools, parents/carers and students.

 

These roles broadly act as the foundation of Lewisham Music’s charitable work, and are the basis for our Governmental remit and funding, which comes from Department for Education (DfE). Arts Council England (ACE) are the fund-holder for DfE’s Music Hub Grant, and are responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of all Music Education Hub lead organisations, including Lewisham Music.

 

Lewisham Music’s primary charitable aim is to offer all children and young people across the London Borough of Lewisham a diverse range of musical opportunities. Our target audience is 5–18-year-olds, as this is the age-group linked to our core funding. However, we also have an ambition to attract funding so that we can do more work with Early Years and Foundation age children (0–5-year-olds) and with adults.

 

We are an education-focused charity that delivers high-quality teaching across a range of musical instruments and styles. The National Plan for Music Education, Music in schools: What Hubs must do and the Model Music Curriculum have all emphasised the fact that Music Education Hubs must put themselves at the heart of music in their area, offering not just services but also expertise and professional support. Lewisham Music is here to support and enhance the music curriculum delivered within schools, and to link this with opportunities being offered by local arts organisations. As the lead partner of Lewisham Music Education Hub, we have a remit to connect and support the wider eco-system of music education in the borough and beyond. This means delivering networking opportunities, training, Continuing Professional Development and professional advice and support for staff from Lewisham Music, Lewisham schools and partner organisations.

 

We are committed to providing extension and progression opportunities for young musicians through after-school, weekend and holiday activities in the community. We operate after-school music groups on a Friday; a Saturday Music Centre (which includes bands, choirs, ensembles, music theory lessons and individual tuition); and after-school instrumental tuition, choirs, ensembles, and creative holiday programmes at our new premises at The Fellowship. In addition, we offer young people the opportunity to perform in a range of community and professional settings.

 

Alongside our work as a provider and supporter of quality music education, we are increasingly broadening our work to include programmes that specifically position Lewisham Music as a community-focused charity that uses music to deliver social outcomes.

 

Activities we deliver

 

Activities currently delivered directly by Lewisham Music both within schools and community settings include:

 

  • Whole Class Ensemble Tuition (WCET) offering primary school classes the opportunity to learn an instrument for free

  • Individual and small group instrumental and vocal/singing lessons

  • Ensembles, choirs, bands

  • Music theory/musicianship classes

  • Instrument hire so young people can try an instrument without having to purchase one

  • Music production classes and use of a range of music technology, including Assistive Music Technology

  • Rap and lyricism and song writing

  • Access to musical resources including e-learning and music production software

  • Creative holiday programmes

  • Live events and concerts

  • Professional musical experiences with partner organisations

  • Targeted, socially focused programmes targeted at disadvantaged young people, e.g. Looked After Children

  • Music-industry focussed programmes and workshops for young people interested in a career in music or music education

  • Support for music professionals through training, Continuing Professional Development, professional advice and networks.

 

These activities cover a broad range of instruments and styles; everything from classical violin and concert bands to folk and jazz groups, rap collectives, pop choirs, Samba groups, rock bands and much more.