Our mandate as a Music Hub extends to every school in the BCP conurbation. Since the Hub formed in 2012, we have worked with every SEN school on a variety of projects and programmes currently including an ongoing collaboration with Live Music Now and Open Up Music and a range of other experiential inputs including the annual SEN schools’ concert in collaboration with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Victoria Education Centre.
We recognise that each school has its own unique challenges and needs and our member SEN schools therefore benefit from a tailored approach to ensure we can support every school in accordance with their needs. In addition, we offer opportunities for schools to work together and take part in collaborative projects.
In 24/25, member schools had the opportunity to take part in a creative music making project led by Sam Mason of Coda Music Trust. Each school taking part in the project learned and performed a new arrangement of the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” alongside a visiting trio of professional musicians. Students were also able to explore the theme of “Wellbeing” and create, compose, sing, sign and perform their own creations in response to the theme. Check out the project video below.
In 25/26, we are delighted to offer our member schools the opportunity to take part in a multi-school composition/song writing project designed to develop vocal and instrumental musical skills and to provide an opportunity for participants to perform or record a new piece of music on a theme chosen by the school. Schools will work alongside Tamara Sullivan and Ed Lee (two specialist workshops leaders and recent BSO Young Associates).
Previous projects:
A refreshed approach to Inclusive practice
SoundStorm was delighted to be awarded Youth Music funding in Summer 2020, a key ambition of which was to review our approach to Inclusion and to take forward an ambitious programme of training and development through 4 main project strands. Our Inclusion strategy included an initial commitment to roll out a programme of training across the BCP and Dorset area, targeting teachers in both SEN and mainstream schools and our local network of educators and Hub partners. This work is well underway and, in addition, SoundStorm continue to take forward a number of key programme ambitions that will significantly widen participation by facilitating more pathways to musical progression for students with a range of different needs. Signing up for membership with SoundStorm unlocks a wide variety of benefits and opportunities for your school. To discuss membership, please contact Sarah Derwish at sarah.derwish@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
