New In Harmony project launches in Leeds

7 December 2012, 17:52 | Updated: 7 December 2012, 17:56

The Orchestra of Opera North celebrated the launch of the outreach project with classical music performances at a primary school.

Children at a primary school in Leeds will enjoy a new programme of music tuition and regular performance opportunities in 2013, thanks to the In Harmony project which launched today at Windmill Primary School. The Orchestra of Opera North performed excerpts of works by Britten, Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Saint-Saëns to introduce the children to classical music.
 
From January 2013, all 350 children at the school will receive a musical instrument and take part in daily music lessons. Head teacher, Sally Sumpner, said she had been excited to tell the children about the project.

“Watching them find out all about the project today, and seeing the orchestra for the first time, has been quite emotional - and this is only the first step,” she said. “I can’t wait for all the instruments to arrive now so that we can get started properly!”

The project, based on the Venezuelan El Sistema project, aims to inspire children in deprived communities through music-making. As well as instrumental lessons, outreach activities will include a community choir and pop-up performances from the Orchestra of Opera North.