Whether you’re looking to kickstart a culture of music-making or develop an existing ensemble, the Modulo Programme has you covered.
With the 2021-22 academic year now in full swing, Orchestras for All returns with an exciting new season of its Modulo Programme in a bid to improve access to music-making for young people in the UK.
After almost two years of unprecedented challenges faced by music teachers and their pupils as a direct result of the pandemic, the inspiring initiative has been specially designed to support under-resourced schools and community groups to set up their own inclusive orchestra, known as a ‘Modulo’.
A Modulo can be of any size, from four to 15, and is open to all skill levels and to any instrument – from violins and ukuleles, trumpets to melodicas.
Throughout the season, individual Modulos are brought together with others from across the country (either in person or online) at dynamic ‘Modulo Meets’, giving participants the opportunity to experience the magic of playing in a large-scale ensemble.
These memorable events, along with the provision of weekly resources, have led to the creation of 14 new orchestras over the past year – all with diversity and inclusivity at their core.
Sharing their experience of the Modulo Programme, a recent young participant said: “Thanks all of you – this is one of the best days I’ve ever had!”
Read more: RPS Awards 2021: Orchestras for All shortlisted in ‘Impact’ category >
Young people from across the country team up to make music together during a national Modulo Meet
Another student added: “The masterclass was a really worthwhile experience. The session was led by professional musicians who all gave us advice about having a musical career as well as helping us improve our band’s pieces. The exercises and warmups I played on the drums were really fun too!”
Despite government guidance around social distancing, bubbles and the termination of instrumental lessons, the Modulo Programme has reached 43 schools over the past year and engaged with 323 students – from Bradford to Aylesbury, Gravesend to Liverpool.
Now, participating schools will be gathering for Modulo’s regional meets at the Midlands Arts Centre (8 March), London’s Cecil Sharp House (14-15 March) and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (25 March), before joining forces at The Royal Academy of Music in July to play as one epic orchestra.
Find out more about the Modulo Programme >
Claire, a music teacher at Heworth Grange School in Gateshead, said: “It has been so hard with all the restrictions, so finally getting to do a proper rehearsal was brilliant – the pupils loved it! I can’t believe how well they did with their instruments.
“The wind players had all managed six new notes by the end of the day. Watching the pupils supporting each other was a joy. Although they’re all from the same year group, they’re not necessarily from the same classes but I can already see new friendships forming and they have the ‘status’ of being part of the Modulo Orchestra. This is known by their peers and they’re proud of it!”
In previous years, Modulo participants have been joined by National Orchestra for All composer, Jack McNeill, and visual artist, Bryony Simcox, who led a series of creative activities that later inspired the production of ‘Modulo Rondeau’, an interactive artwork based on sounds and drawings made by the young people.
Meanwhile, repertoire for the 2021-22 season, titled ‘The Way We See It’, includes ‘Spoitoresa’ – an arrangement of a Balkan gypsy dance performed by Bucharest-based band, Mahala Rai Banda, Purcell’s ‘Rondo’ from Abdelazar Suite (made famous as the theme to Britten’s ‘Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’), excerpts from the fourth movement of Alice Mary Smith’s Symphony in A minor as well as ‘Crossfade’ by Jack McNeill, a recent commission exploring electronic dance music and the orchestra.
Read more: Over 100 school pupils nationwide team up online for epic day of music-making >
A team of professional musicians from Orchestras for All’s partners – BBC Philharmonic and City of London Sinfonia – will also be on hand once again to provide their expert insights and motivate the next generation of flautists, string players and those with less traditional instruments, such as the ukulele or harmonica.
‘Modulo Rondeau’, an interactive artwork inspired by the sounds and drawings made by Modulo participants
To further encourage creativity, participating students will be offered a music-making resource that allows them to remix their own backing track.
Sharing a few final thoughts on her personal experience of the Modulo Programme, Claire said: “All the pupils were inspired in our second rehearsal to develop their note playing, showing much more resilience than I was expecting and have witnessed in beginner instrumentalists before.
“I think it really helped them to see such a wide range of experience in the other schools. The Modulo Programme is brilliant and I’m already petitioning my Head for us to make it a regular part of our school – maybe even having Modulo groups in different year groups!”
On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, thank you to Scops Arts Trust, The Rayne Foundation, 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust and our loyal donors and supporters for their ongoing support towards the Modulo Programme – together, we can continue to break down barriers to music-making for our young people.
