You have until April 20th to apply for a place in the Pilot Phase of the Brent Music Academy for Young People

 Young people taking part in the launch

From the Royal Philharmonic Newsletter

 

The weekend of March 26^th local partners including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), Brent Music Service, Brent Council, Young Brent Foundation, The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) and Brent Black Music Co-Op (BBMC), launched a new music academy for Brent. There is still time for young musicians to apply for a place in the pilot – deadline Wednesday April 20^th 2022.

 

This cross-genre academy will provide a pathway to careers throughout the music industry, from music production and administration to performance in any musical style or genre.

 

Created in collaboration with and for the people of Brent, discussion and research with the community will continue to inform all aspects of the academy from the format of delivery and selection of training on offer right through to the name. This unique music development programme will provide professional-level training across the music industry for young people in Brent, regardless of background, prior achievement, financial or other barriers.

 

Designed in consultation with music and youth providers in the borough, the academy will complement provision already available for young people in Brent, creating progressive opportunities and tangible links to further education and careers through training and industry connections.

 

The first major stage of the academy will be a pilot programme that will take place from May to July 2022, and we are looking for passionate young people who are playing or making music in any genre or style, or with interest in music production, business, or administration to take part. If you think that you know a young person who would be interested, please visit rpo.co.uk/brentmusicacademy to find out more.

 

We are grateful for the generous support of Stefan and Simona Voloseniuc of SF Stefan Civil Engineering who have made possible the pilot phase of the project.

 

Who is the new music academy for?

 

The academy is for passionate young people who have an aptitude for music performance in any genre, or an interest in any aspect of the non-performing side of the music industry.

 

The Performance Pathway is designed for young people who sing, play an instrument or compose their own music, working in any genre or style, with a passion for collaborating and performing with others.

 

The Industry Pathway will explore non-performance elements of the music industry, which might include audio engineering, music production, marketing, talent promotion, event management, programming, or any other related fields.

 

There are no formal entry requirements. While the academy is open to all young people regardless of genre, background, or prior experience, it will cater for participants expressing a commitment and keen interest in the music industry.

 

Eventually, the Academy will cater for young people aged 4 – 19 years old, grouped based on skills and experience.

 

During the Pilot Phase, we will work with reduced numbers of young people in order to trial the model. Cohorts we are looking to work with during the Pilot Phase are:

• Performance Pathway – 3x cohorts based on experience:
• Young people not yet learning/practicing an instrument but demonstrating good musical foundations (Suggested ages: school years 5 – 7)
• Early career players, learning/practicing an instrument for 1 – 2 years, demonstrating commitment and keenness to learn. Roughly equivalent to ABRSM grades 1 – 2 if relevant. (Suggested ages: school years 5 – 8)
• Advanced players, with good technical proficiency and an interest in developing further. Roughly equivalent to ABRSM grades 5+ if relevant. (Suggested ages: school years 7 – 11)
• Industry Pathway – 1x cohort for young people aged 14 – 18 years old with an interest in, and desire to explore one or more aspects of the music business, production or administration.

 

·       What does it cost? 

·       There is no cost for attending the music academy during the pilot phase. 

 

·       How can I apply?

 

·       You need to be referred by a teacher, music professional, youth club or group leader, faith leader, social worker or other educational professional using the form below by 20th April 2022. We are not currently accepting applications from parents or young people themselves; please speak to a trusted adult professional and ask them to complete the form on your behalf. 

 

·       The academy team will be in touch by 22nd April 2022 to let you know if your referral has been successful and with further details. Successful referrals will be invited to take part in informal ‘audition’ workshops during the weekend of 7/8 May to give potential participants a taste of the academy programme before joining the Pilot.

·       Fill in the referral form here

 

Have your say on an exciting proposal for a Brent Music Academy accessible to all

 From the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

 We are working with local partners to create a brand new Brent Music Academy that will offer advanced training and work experience opportunities for talented young people from across the borough. From performance (any genre/instrument/style) to behind-the-scenes production and business experience with our industry partners, we’re hoping to provide additional professional opportunities to young people showing an aptitude and interest in the industry, regardless of background, formal training or prior achievement.

 

We know there is so much excellent music provision going on in the borough and so many talented young people with a range of interests and skills, so we are hosting a series of Zoom consultations over the next weeks to find out how the Brent community would like this new initiative to look and work. From content and types of training or opportunities offered, to location, dates/times, fees, etc., we’re looking to hear from any potential stakeholders (young people, parents, teachers, professionals, community groups) to help us design this new organisation.

 

Online FORM HERE

UPDATED WITH CAPTIONS: The wonderful children of Brent perform in 'SPARKS FLY' - an anthem for Brent in troubled times

 

 

Composed by thousands of Brent school children and young members of Brent Music Service orchestras, alongside award-winning composer James Redwood and Brent-born poet Momtaza Mehri. The Brent Anthem represents the kind of united, diverse community we have in Brent and London. Young people collaborated with musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Brent Music Service in physical and virtual workshops throughout the year, writing lyrics and composing melodies to create this special song as a gift to their home borough. In celebration, a special 3-minute video and audio track titled 'Sparks Fly' has been released.

 Find out more: www.brent2020.co.uk/whats-happening/programmes/the-brent-anthem The Brent Anthem has been created by RPO Resound, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s community and education department, in collaboration with Brent Music Service, made possible with the generous support of John Lyon’s Charity and the Brent 2020 Culture Fund.

The Lyrics

 

RPO Brent Anthem 2020 ‘Sparks Fly’

We stand on this hill, the city a silhouette on the skyline

We stand on this hill, the city a silhouette on the skyline

We stand on this hill, the city a silhouette on the skyline

Streets like a map of hope, our song carried by the breeze

River Brent take me with you

Winding down brooks and underground streams 

Following the roar of the crowds to a rainbow of dreams.

The arch like a stretch of arms reaching across the sky

A bridge to connect us, standing proudly 

Standing proudly, flying high

This is our time this is our place 

 

Chorus 1

Whoah, Hear our voices rise 

Whoah, Sparks Fly, streamers in the sky

Colours swirling like autumn leaves

Spirits high our voices full of pride 

There is so much joy is these busy streets

Whoah... Whoah....Whoah...

We are marching to our own London beat.

We are more than a country, more than a continent

We are the whole world in a line of shops

We bring our own colours

We bring our own flavours

We’re always moving forward and we’re never going to stop.

 

Chorus 2

Sparks Fly, streamers in the sky

Colours swirling like autumn leaves. 

Spirits high, our voices full of pride

There’s so much joy is these busy streets. 

Whoah... Whoah....Whoah...

We are marching to our own London beat. 

We are marching to our own London beat. 

We are marching to our own London beat.

 

Wonderful video from Brent Music Service

Brent Music Service has been working hard to provide on-line instrumental lessons to young people whom they normally teach in schools.

They have posted this uplifting video which followed calls to sing or play 'Over the Rainbow' at the usual Thursday evening 'Clap for the NHS'. If anyone has any video footage of street renditions I'd be happy to publish them:

Brent's inspirational primary school choirs sing their hearts out in Choir of the Year final

The Mount Stewart Choir celebrate their win

I was privileged to be able to attend the Brent Primary School Choir of the Year final at Chalkhill Primary School yesterday. 

The six schools present had been narrowed down from an initial entry of 30 schools and at the outset were told by Brent Music Service that they were all winners for having got so far in the competition.

The singing was of an extremely high standard with, as one would expect in Brent, from a diverse range of cultures and in many styles, featuring some hugely confident soloists,  3 part harmony, a capella and in one showing stopping performance a boy's improvisation against the background of his choir's performance.

The result was 3rd Place: The Bluebirds Chalkhill Primary School. 2nd Place: St Robert Southwell Primary School Choir; and the winners were Mount Stewart Junior School Choir.

The other finalists were Princess Frederica Primary, St Mary Magdalene, and Anson Primary.

Brent Music Service said:

The standard of performances was inspirational and we look forward to welcoming all these talented young singers to join the BMS choirs!

Congratulations to every single singer at today's competition - you and your school should be extremely proud of you all!

I was impressed by the  respect BMS gave the children when providing feedback on their performance. Rather than just giving them a pat on the head they provided detailed professional  feedback on both the strengths of their performance and areas which need working on to reach a higher standard.

As Brent schools face budget cuts I hope that governing bodies will continue to buy into the Brent Music Service. They provide a much needed extra creative dimension to the curriculum and with their London and nationwide links a route to a lifetime's enjoyment of musical performance and perhaps even a professional career.

Further information (including later video of perfoamnces) on the Brent Music Service Facebook page HERE

Friday deadline for Brent Young Musician of the Year

I heard some beautiful violin playing by primary pupils at Chalkhill School this morning. Here is a reminder of the competition open to older pupils:

The closing annual search for Brent's best young musician is back! Do you have what it takes to go all the way and become the next Brent Young Musician of the Year?

The competition is open to all styles of music and both instrumental and vocal performers and was won by violinist Timothy Crawford in 2014.

This is a fantastic opportunity to compete for a total prize fund of £800 and the overall winner will also receive an invitation to appear at the SSE Wembley Arena as a special guest soloist for Brent Makes Music 2016 in July 2016.

To enter you need to be aged between 13 and 18 on Tuesday 1 September 2015 and live or go to a school in Brent.

How to enter

Download and fill in the Brent Young Musician of the Year entry form (.doc, 62.5kB).

All entries need to be received by Brent Music Service no later than midnight on Friday 13 November 2015. Completed entry forms should be emailed to info@brentmusicservice.com.

Key dates

Preliminary round

• Monday 7 December 2015 at Claremont High School, Kenton, 5pm to 9pm
• Thursday 10 December 2015 at St Mary Magdalene Catholic Junior School, Willesden Green, 5pm to 9pm

Competition finals venue

• Wednesday 2 March - Venue and time to be confirmed

Brent as a Self-Harming Black Knight

The Green Party strongly supports the role of Local Authorities in ensuring adequate and effective educational provision including that for children with special educational needs and disabilities, with fair admissions procedures and support for schools in difficulties.

Unfortunately the cuts and charges being implemented by Brent Council as a result of the Coalition Government's reduction in grant have the effect of the council actually reducing its own role and may eventually lead to its demise as an education authority. It is as if the Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail cut his own limbs off!

In addition to the cuts outlined in previous posts the Brent School Improvement Service based at the Centre for Staff Development in Brentfield Road near the Swaminarayan Temple  faces cuts of  nearly £500,000. The staff there provide support services for schools across the borough in terms of management, curriculum development and pedagogy training teachers and support staff as well as school improvement advisors. The Centre has itself come under threat in previous rounds of cuts.  The training and support provided has contributed to the great improvement in the quality of education in Brent over the last few years with local schools out-performing similar schools in other boroughs. It also provides a forum for staff from different schools to learn from each and collaborate with successful programmes such as the Learning Project which also involves the London Institute of Education.  Training in Reading Recovery and other intervention projects  all contribute to support for children who are falling behind their peers.

This reduction in central support will mean that schools will now need to buy-in these services from private companies or consultants adding to the pressure on their budgets. Where central services still continue but with reduced staffing they are likely to become less efficient and headteachers may choose to buy-in educational psychologists and other advisory staff. Inevitably this will lead to a spiral of decline in the central support services leading to further cuts in staffing. This spiral is already evident in some departments after last year's staffing cuts.

The budget proposals already include an increase in charges to schools for the Brent Music Service of £50,000. The  BMS provides singing and instrumental tuition in schools and coordinates the amazing annual  Brent Schools Concert at the Wembley Arena. Follow this link to see the 2010 I Have A Song To Sing event: LINK  I challenge you to watch it and not be moved.

Just as the council has had to make decisions on what to cut governing bodies of schools will be faced with choices of what to buy in. If services do not attract enough support from schools their future will be put in doubt.

The real danger is that as support from the local authority is reduced or becomes inadequate,  schools will be tempted to go it alone and opt for academy status as the advantages of being an LA school become less evident. There are already rumours that secondary headteachers have informally agreed that if they decide to  opt  for academy status that they will do so as a group, rather than individually. The Brent NUT and ATL have already intervened at Claremont to ensure that this isn't a headteacher's decision but one for the whole school community. As schools become academies the amount of money available to the local authority is reduced.  Academies and free schools will erode local democratic accountability despite being funded by our taxes: taxation without representation.

The Local Schools Network recognises these issues LINK and deserves wider support. Their basic principles are:

1. Every child has a right to go to an excellent local state school, enabling every child to achieve their full potential.
2. Every state school should have a fair admissions procedure.
3. Every local school should be responsive to their parents and pupils’ needs and wishes and be accountable to the local community.
4. That local schools in difficulties should be supported to improve, not attacked and  demoralised.