The first planned, major expansion of In Harmony Liverpool was launched at a special event on 12 February 2015 at Everton Nursery School and Family Centre.

Launched as part of Liverpool Philharmonic’s 175th Anniversary celebrations in 2015, it builds on six successful years of immersive music-making in West Everton centred on Faith Primary School and its local community, for children and young people 0-16 years old.

In Harmony Liverpool is inspired by Venezuela’s El Sistema and uses orchestral music-making to improve the health, education and aspirations of children and young people in Everton.

Supported through funding from the National Foundation for Youth Music through to July 2016, this new partnership will enable more than 200 children under 5-years-old and their families in Everton to take part in music-making for up to two hours every week, led by Liverpool Philharmonic’s In Harmony team, Everton Nursery School teachers and musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Liverpool Philharmonic welcomes Everton Nursery School and Family Centre into the In Harmony Liverpool ‘family’ alongside Faith Primary School, The Beacon CE Primary School, Liverpool Resonate Music Education Hub, Liverpool Hope University, West Everton Community Council, The Shewsy and participating children and families.

The expansion increases the total weekly reach of In Harmony Liverpool to more than 600 children and young people aged 0 – 16 in Everton.

In Harmony Liverpool will provide an early years’ curriculum in Everton Nursery School and Family Centre that includes:

• Music-making for over 200 children aged 2 – 4 years old focussing on musicianship, singing and movement
• Targeted child-led music making for children with additional needs
• Weekly drop-in sessions for local families with their ‘tots’
• Regular performances for children and families by children’s ensembles and professional musicians
• Access to concerts and events at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall through Liverpool Philharmonic’s Paul Hamlyn Foundation supported programme for new audiences, Leap into Live Music.
• Regular professional development, supporting collaborative working between teachers and musicians.

Through Everton Nursery School and Family Centre’s role as lead for the North Liverpool Teaching School Alliance, the programme includes a significant focus on professional development of teachers and musicians.

Alex Dunn, In Harmony Liverpool Deputy Artistic Director and lead for In Harmony Liverpool at Everton Nursery School and Family Centre said: “Working with our partners in the Everton community over six years of In Harmony Liverpool, we’ve seen the benefits that providing opportunities for children to participate in, and enjoy music-making of the highest quality has had on their educational and musical achievement, health and well-being, their future aspirations, and in developing community pride. Liverpool Philharmonic is delighted to be welcomed in to Everton Nursery School and Family Centre. Working together we will be able to support more than 200 children and their families in Everton through music.”

Dr Lesley Curtis OBE, Head Teacher of Everton Nursery School and Family Centre said: “In Harmony Liverpool is a fantastic initiative that explores the power of music, the affect it can have on young people and how the medium fits within a teaching environment. Our nursery is always keen to consider new ways and approaches to teaching and learning. The success of In Harmony Liverpool over the last six years working with young people in Everton is a clear demonstration that our partnership with Liverpool Philharmonic to expand the programme in to our nursery will be a really interesting and rewarding one.”

Matt Griffiths, Executive Director of the National Foundation for Youth Music said: “We are delighted to be supporting this project, which will enable Liverpool Philharmonic to expand their In Harmony Liverpool programme to work with young children and their families in West Everton. Early years’ music education, which is not part of the National Plan for Music Education, is an important element of our investment portfolio and we are strongly committed to supporting this sector across the country. We wish this new partnership to expand In Harmony Liverpool all the best. I’m sure it will be of great benefit to the young children taking part.”

Liverpool Philharmonic has been leading In Harmony Liverpool since 2009 with partner organisations in Everton including Faith Primary School, West Everton Community Council, Resonate Liverpool’s Music Hub, Liverpool Hope University, Beacon CE Primary School, Hopscotch Nursery and The Shewsy.

A genuinely transformative music and social programme, In Harmony Liverpool has reached a total of 360 children and their families to date through immersive, intensive orchestral music making. In addition to excellent musical and creative outcomes, there is strong evidence, through longitudinal evaluation, that In Harmony Liverpool is making a positive impact on educational attainment, school attendance, personal, social and emotional wellbeing of children, with wider impacts on stronger family relationships, increased pride, wellbeing and aspirations in the community.

In Harmony Liverpool is part of the In Harmony national programme supported by Arts Council England and the Department for Education, which uses music to transform the lives of children and young people. Other Arts Council England funded In Harmony programmes are now established in London, Leeds, Newcastle Gateshead, Nottingham, Telford and Stoke-on-Trent.

Including Arts Council England support, Liverpool Philharmonic has been successful in securing over £650,000 of support between 2013-2015 in the form of major gifts and donations from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, National Foundation for Youth Music, the Rayne Foundation, NHS Liverpool, The Eric and Margaret Kinder Charitable Trust, Oglesby Charitable Trust In Harmony Fund, LJMU, The Granada Foundation, Faith Primary School, West Lancashire Freemasons Charity and private donors.

Liverpool Philharmonic is currently fundraising for the period 2015-2018.