As we get back to school and ensembles begin to start up again across the country, we caught up with inspiring music leader Ellie, as she reflects on her experience of setting up an ensemble in her school for the first time and her journey as part of the Modulo Programme. Find out more about the programme and how you can get involved by visiting the Modulo page on our website.
Ellie has recently completed her first year as a teacher, training with the Teach First programme. She was keen to develop her own ensemble leadership skills alongside kickstarting ensemble music-making for her students. However, when she arrived at her school, she was faced with a daunting prospect: “At the start of this year, ensemble music-making was virtually non-existent.”
Ellie was keen to reinvigorate a culture of music-making, and develop her own music leadership skills. Having participated in a conducting workshop through OFA’s Music Leadership Training, she signed up to the Modulo Programme, increasing the engagement and confidence of young musicians in her school: “we have had pupils learn instruments from complete beginner, and they can now play pieces from start to finish as part of an ensemble.”
The impact on her pupils has been clear: “it has been an eye-opening experience for our pupils, many of whom would previously have thought that orchestral music was not for them.” A Modulo masterclass with musicians from the City of London Sinfonia was a turning point for her group: “there was an incredible energy around the room.. that was the first time it really felt like we were forming a new ensemble, and it was a really special afternoon to be a part of.”
Ellie is proud of not only how her ensemble has grown in musical skill, but how their confidence has increased through the bonding of the group:
“Modulo became a really safe space for our pupils to just have a go at music making… they have grown in confidence, self-esteem and leadership”
Participating in Music Leadership Training alongside Modulo has given Ellie a solid foundation for leading high quality music-making in her school now and in the future: “In my first year of teaching, OFA was invaluable in allowing me to grow in confidence when leading an ensemble. It has been rewarding for all of us and it is something I am excited to see grow within our school in the future”.
