Live Music Now is working with Sound Foundation Somerset to develop music provision for special schools through creative projects and specialist training for music and education professionals. From 2018-20, we will provide:

 

4 x 3-day projects in special schools, led by experienced music leaders working alongside professional musicians from LMN and other hub partners. The first of these have taken place at Avalon, Brookside and Fairmead Schools.

 

2 x 7-week projects in special schools, led by LMN musicians and supporting members of staff in schools to develop confidence in leading music activities. The first of these is taking place in Fairmead School during Autumn 2019.

 

1 x musician-in-residence programme: this will be taking place at Fiveways School from November 2019 – July 2020, led by LMN musician Sadie Fleming. Sadie will work with the school to develop their music curriculum and offer training to teachers and TAs wishing to bring more music into their classrooms.

 

 

This work has been made possible through funding from Youth Music.

 

Case Studies

Members of The Spindle Ensemble, a Bristol-based group of musicians who have been receiving rave reviews for their first album, “Bea”, worked with pupils from Fairmead and Avalon schools as part of Live Music Now’s SEND Inspire programme, which trains musicians to use their skills to perform for and with young people with special educational needs and disabilities

 

“The pupils gained a lot of enjoyment from the music sessions … gaining confidence over the sessions with communicating and joining in with the musicians and instruments. One pupil who was initially wary became entranced by the marimba and enjoyed watching it being played close up. [There were] wonderful responses from students who are non-verbal, which included physically moving themselves to be closer to the instruments, communicating they wanted more, sharing an activity with peers and demonstrating excellent concentration.” Avalon School

 

“All those who took part are now more confident to take part in singing at school [and] more able to listen to each other. It’s made the students more willing to take part in the choir.” Fairmead School