Sefton Music Service partner organisations have a track record in high quality music education. Our partners are working with us to strengthen and improve the musical experiences for the Children and Young People of Sefton both in and out of school to fulfil SYMT’s vision.
Sefton Music Service
The Music Service’s well qualified independent tutors are central to providing musical opportunities for children and young people in Sefton schools. The Service works with other highly regarded delivery partners (many with national acclaim).
Liverpool Hope University
Liverpool Hope University. Visit Website
Brighter Sound
Brighter Sound have over 16 years’ experience of providing musical opportunities in the North West. They specialise in helping young people, often those in challenging circumstances, to learn and express their creativity and identity by making music in a non-judgemental environment.
Brighter sound are working with SKY Music Hub, Merseyside Youth Association, Barnardo’s and SPACE to develop inclusive music making activities. Visit Website
Charanga
Charanga describe themselves as “the digital learning community for music“. They have developed resources covering every aspect of secondary, primary, and extra-curricular music education, CPD for tutors, online learning, and supporting organisations such as the SKY Music Hub. Their software both assists tutors in the classroom/practice room and the pupil at home by encouraging practising and accelerating learning. Visit Website
Halle Orchestra
SKY Music Hub has been working with the Halle Orchestra as part of a programme of planned activities. Chris Lennie says “This collaboration, with young people from across the region joining together and working alongside professionals, gets everyone involved in sharing skills and learning from each other. This has created a unique and dynamic opportunity that I believe will lead to inspirational performance”.
For example, Halle musicians rehearsed, coached and inspired children from Manchester, Liverpool and Sefton towards a performance of ‘Suite on American Spirituals’ by Mike Williams, which was performed at Southport Floral Hall. Visit Website
Merseyside Youth Association
Merseyside Youth Association (MYA) has been operational since 1890, providing generic and specialist support services for young people aged 7-25, with the aim of uncovering and reaching their potential. They don’t just specialise in music; their six support teams cover social inclusion/alternative education, arts, youth work, support services, health, and sport.
Merseyside Youth Association, are working with SKY Music Hub, Brighter Sound and Sefton Youth Service, developing inclusive music making activities at MYA’s SPACE Centre in Bootle. Visit Website
Ex- Cathedra
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Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO) needs no introduction as a world-class orchestra, but it also houses a committed and influential education department. For example, the West Everton Children’s Orchestra, an In Harmony project under the auspices of RLPO, has received accolades nationwide.
SKY Music Hub have collaborated with RLPO to form a new youth orchestra: Sefton Junior Philharmonic (SJP). Throughout the year, over 100 pupils meet for weekend workshops culminating in performances, with the guidance of RLPO players. This project enables young people to play in an orchestra and work on ensemble playing, orchestral repertoire, and meet other young musicians outside of a school environment. Visit Website
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DR CATHERINE PRESTON
Dr Preston is an independent researcher in music, psychology and music education. She is the external consultant for quality assurance and evaluation for Sefton and Knowsley Music Hub (SKY) and for The Halle Orchestra’s Community Music programmes. She is also of the advisory board for Bury Music Service. Prior to these roles she was an associate tutor at Edge Hill University for the Primary Teachers’ Music course, lead tutor for the Post Graduate Certificate in Music Education and a member of the academic team for the delivery of the university’s MA in Education. From 1995 to 2009 she was Director of Music and Expressive Arts at Philips High School, Whitefield, Manchester. She has also been a teacher with Stockport Instrumental Teaching Service and Bury Music Service (flute, clarinet, saxophone). Currently she is involved in music psychology and education research and consultancy within the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors.