Change is Coming – School Projects 23-24
MMF is providing new and exciting performance project opportunities for schools during 2023-24. Our over-arching theme this year is ‘Change is Coming’ and there were 3 ways in which schools can participate, including our Royal Albert Hall concert on Monday 11 March, 2024.
Royal Albert Hall 2024
‘Change is Coming’ Massed Choral Project, Monday 11 March, 2024
This performance project consists of a series of choral rehearsals (in school and at other local venues) between October 2023 and March 2024, culminating in an evening performance at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 11 March 2024
The project is being provided as part of MMF’s ‘With One Voice’ Singing Strategy (a core element of the National Music Plan) and aims to provide children in Years 5, 6 and KS3+ with access to high quality and inspiring choral opportunties. This intensive project will provide challenging opportunities for pupils (and staff!) to develop their vocal, choral and general musicianship skills. The experience will give pupils with an exciting foundation for future learning and help broaden the range of opportunities and skills within each participating school.
Pupils receive a series of 5 half day choral workshops + a final dress rehearsal and performance at the RAH. These rehearsals will take place largely in Merton schools, so some schools will need to travel to a ‘Change is Coming’ host school for their rehearsals. We try to ensure that partner schools are walkable or a short bus ride away.
NB. Applications for participation in the Royal Albert Hall concert are now closed.
Past Projects (23-24)
Children’s Manifesto for Change – Summer 2023
We wanted feedback from young people across Merton to help guide the narrative of ’Change is Coming’ a specially commissioned choral piece, which will premiere at the Royal Albert Hall on 11 March 2024.
MMF provided a set of song and drama plans to use flexibly with children in KS2/3. They could be delivered as a unit of work, or as a special arts project over a few days or a week.
There was no charge for access to the resources and participation.
Blues & Roots Ensemble (BARE) at New Wimbledon Theatre – 11 October 2023
After the tremendous success of their introduction to jazz concerts in November 2022, the Blues and Roots Ensemble (BARE) returned to NWT with a new show, linking jazz to Civil Rights. The concerts focussed on the work of US bassist and composer Charles Mingus and demonstrated how music can be used to help advocate for and engender change.
BARE made 2 new interactive videos to use in school before attending the concert, so the children could join together and sing with the band.
The concerts was suitable for KS2/3.
