In 2023 the NYO delivered their outstanding Inspire programme to hundreds of incredibly talented musicians for an entire week in St Mary’s High Catholic Academy. In February 2024 this programme was delivered again and extended to be more inclusive, provide equal opportunities and to offer a more diverse approach to music making for all.
Following their week long programme the NYO performed two free concerts in Blackpool Tower Ballroom (Mon 19th Feb 2024). This NYO Open programme provided ‘the buzz’ of orchestral music to all teenagers, music educators, Music Education Hubs and youth organisations across the UK. More than 1,300 students aged 9 to 13 attended.
This superb day was then followed by bespoke creative workshops in four Blackpool high school academies. This involved ensembles of eight musicians creatively interacting with the wider school communities throughout the day. Each interaction was led by teenage musicians and presented to teenagers. All school musicians, instruments, ages, abilities were included from beginners to GCSE. The first creative workshop was followed by small ‘pop up’ performances within the schools and throughout the day. Extremely well performed exit music was then provided as students left school.
This extended programme featuring new events, new opportunities for all including CPD resources and a face to face meetings for all Music Hubs, 12 Lancashire Schools and, support for Lancashire home educated children, typifies what Blackpool Music Education Hub is doing and endorses the extremes we go to, to improve and celebrate music making in and beyond Blackpool.
We are already looking forward to next year and further inclusive programmes. Our thanks go to all at the NYO for such a wonderful opportunity.
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