In a previous blog post, we talked at how our work with five local authorities reached over 1,000 children and young people across Scotland, as part of a Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative. This blog post takes a closer look at the YMI collaborations with Renfrewshire Council’s Flexible Learning Resource centres and Fife Council’s Pupil Support Service.
LMNS musicians Penny James and Matt Tighe. Beth Malcolm and Nicky Murray.
In April 2022, violin duo Penny James and Matt Tighe began delivering workshops at Renfrew High School’s Flexible Learning Base. To engage the pupils, the work rapidly evolved from participatory live performances using music as a vehicle to communicate to teaching classroom instruments with a focus on fostering relationships. This was a significant change from Live Music Now Scotland’s usual approach. Two years later, we have seen remarkable results that are having a life-changing impact on the pupils involved.
“This was a landmark moment in [the pupil’s] development; they were introduced to us as the antisocial and dysregulated students who wanted to leave school. Now they’ve grown in confidence, are comfortable singing publicly, and want to stay in school to complete qualifications.”
– Principal Teacher, Renfrew High School’s Flexible Learning Base
Additionally, in November 2023, vocalist and pianist Beth Malcolm and singer/songwriter Nicky Murray delivered an 11-week pilot project with Fife’s Pupil Support Service. Instigated by Andrew Cowie, Education Development Officer and Suzanne Jackson, Youth Music Initiative Co-ordinator for Fife Council, it received hugely positive feedback and a continuation of the project has been confirmed for 2025.
Our work to date has allowed us to work with 5 pupils at Renfrew High, increasing their school attendance, their engagement with education and nurturing and developing their musical skills. In Fife, the pilot project assisted 16 students in transitioning from primary to secondary school and the new connection forged between the Instrumental Music Service and the Pupil Support Service helped the students connect with their new music departments.
“What we have created – a feeling of belonging, students feeling listened to, a space to share their backstory and their dreams – meaningful input into society could be the end result”
– Mark Traynor, Instrumental Music Service, Renfrewshire Council
Please get in touch with Lesley-Ann Smith, General Manager, at lesleyann.smith@livemusicnow.scot, to discuss a possible future YMI project or to find out more about this area of work.
A huge thank you to the following people for instigating and supporting this work:
Andrew Cowie, Education Development Officer, Fife Council
Suzanne Jackson, Youth Music Initiative Co-ordinator, Fife Council
Katie Rush, Youth Music Initiative Development Officer, Renfrewshire Council
Mark Traynor, Music Development Officer, Renfrewshire Council