Spreading the classical music bug to boost school achievement

Music students from The University of Nottingham will be mentoring primary schoolchildren in the city as part of a new scheme to tackle social deprivation through music. It's all part of a project inspired by the Venezuelan El Sistema programme which has taught music to children and young people in South America with astonishing results for over 30 years. The aim of the new UK-based In Harmony programme is to give children from poorer backgrounds the chance to learn a musical instrument, nurture undiscovered talents and boost their confidence. It's hoped the project will also improve attendance at school in deprived areas and raise academic results. Nottingham's City Council Music Service , the University and the East Midlands-based professional orchestra Sinfonia Viva were awarded more than half a million pounds to run one of six 'In Harmony' projects in the UK funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education. Sixteen second and third-year students studying in the University's Department of Music have been chosen to act as mentors to pupils at four inner city schools. The junior school children are all being given the chance to learn an orchestral instrument with free professional tuition.