Orchestras for All launches its 2019 Modulo Programme helping teachers to establish inclusive music ensembles
1st November 2018
Youth music charity Orchestras for All (OFA) has today announced details of its 2019 Modulo Programme. The programme supports teachers and music leaders to establish and develop a small ensemble (a ‘Modulo’) of between 4 and 10 young people in their school or community. The young players can be of any instrument and of any skill level or experience. Once a teacher or music leader has registered on the programme they are provided with all the music and rehearsal resources (including bespoke arrangements) required to get a Modulo ensemble up and running. The programme also hosts regional and national ‘Modulo Meets’ providing opportunities for the individual Modulos to come together to create, rehearse and perform in inspirational venues across the UK. In 2019 the Modulo Meets venues include the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Academy of Music in London.
In 2019, for the first time, the programme will also be offering in-school workshops to every Modulo group. These will be delivered by the programme’s new regional artistic partner organisations: the BBC Philharmonic, City of London Sinfonia and the LEAP Ensemble and made possible as a result of Modulo securing significant new support from Arts Council England.
The theme for the Modulo Programme in 2019 is ‘WordPlay’ which will explore the relationship between music and language and how music can communicate meaning and tell stories. Modulo groups will be provided with brand new arrangements and resources for a diverse range of repertoire inspired by this theme including Verdi’s ‘Anvil Chorus’, ‘A Keelie Makolay’ a Ghananian song, ‘I Say A Little Prayer’ made famous by Aretha Franklin and ‘Pastime With Good Company’ a song written by King Henry VIII.
Anna Williams, Orchestras for All’s Head of Programmes said “It’s really exciting to be announcing our biggest ever programme of activities for Modulo in 2019 and especially to be welcoming artistic partners of the calibre of the BBC Philharmonic, City of London Sinfonia and the LEAP Ensemble. This, together with some fantastic new arrangements and a schedule of regional and national Meets, means that we are looking forward to supporting more and more schools to be able to form and run ensembles, which our research shows has such positive benefits for both students and schools. Teachers and community music leaders can obtain more information and sign up for the Modulo Programme via the Orchestras for All website.”
Shortlisted for ‘Best Musical Initiative’ at the 2017 Music Teacher Awards for Excellence, the Modulo programme has, over the last year, supported 30 school and community ensembles, including helping to set up 21 brand new ensembles in schools and communities which previously had no ensemble music activities.
More information can be found online at www.orchestrasforall.org or by contacting Richard Dinnadge at info@orchestrasforall.org or by calling 0207 267 4141.
