In 2023 the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) delivered their Inspire programme for a week in St Mary’s High School 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 2 free concerts in Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Monday 19th February. 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 16 attended.
This superb day was then followed by Bespoke Creative Workshops in four high schools in Blackpool. This involved an ensemble of 8 musicians creatively interacting with the wider school communities throughout the day. Each interactions was led by teenage musicians for teenagers. All school musicians, instruments, ages and 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. Exit music was then provided as students left school.
This extended programme featured new events and new opportunities for all, including CPD resources and face to face meetings for all Music Hubs, 12 Lancashire Schools and, support for Lancashire home educated children. This typifies what Blackpool Music Education Hub is doing and endorses the extremes we go to improve and celebrate music making in and beyond Blackpool.
We’d like to thank the NYO and their team for the amazing work they have done and the aspirations they have brought to pupils and teachers.