Over 2023/24, Live Music Now Scotland worked with five local authorities to reach approximately 1,124 children and young people across Scotland. Delivering 194 workshops were violin duo Penny James and Matt Tighe, singer/songwriter Emma Martin, singer/songwriter Nicky Murray and vocalist/pianist Beth Malcolm, and the JKL DUO featuring flautist Kerry Lynch and guitarist Jacopo Lazzaretti.
With Aberdeen City Council we delivered two residencies at additional support needs school Orchard Brae; with Live Life Aberdeenshire we toured ten schools and four nurseries in rural areas; and with Scottish Borders Council we delivered a themed ‘Music and Magic’ residency across three primary schools!
We continued our work at Renfrew High’s Flexible Learning Base, which is due to enter its third year with Renfrewshire Council, as well as a pilot project with Fife Council’s Pupil Support Service.
This activity is in addition to a two-year project with South Ayrshire Council, during which four of our musicians collaborated with teachers to deliver the curriculum through music in five additional support needs schools and units across South and East Ayrshire, collaborating with teachers on how to deliver the curriculum through music. This project is coming to an end and was funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Teacher Development Fund.
“Your visit was such a treat. It is so good for the children to experience live music so close at hand, and with performers who are as accessible and friendly as you were. Your demos were well planned to involve the children and make the joy that music can bring to the fore. Thanks again for your visit and you are welcome back any time!”
– Head Teacher
“Seeing people who excel at what they do is inspiring and fun for the pupils. The musicians were professional and positive throughout, listening to all the children’s comments and taking them seriously. They were fair in how they approached participation and had plenty of whole-class activities. Their ability on the violins was exceptional and their repertoire had something for everyone.”
– Classroom teacher
A huge thank you to the following people for inviting us to deliver this work:
Sara Alakus, Creative Learning Officer, Scottish Borders Council
Andrew Cowie, Education Development Officer, Fife Council
Beth Edwards, Music Co-ordinator, Aberdeen City Council
Lorna Gourley, Youth Music Initiative Coordinator, South Ayrshire Council
Suzanne Jackson, Youth Music Initiative Co-ordinator, Fife Council
Kate James, Youth Music Initiative Co-ordinator, Live Life Aberdeenshire
Mark Traynor, Music Development Officer, Renfrewshire Council
Katie Rush, Youth Music Initiative Development Officer, Renfrewshire Council
