Association sings praises of Music Service at awards
Wolverhampton Music Service has been recognised for the excellent level of support it gives to the city's young musicians at this year's West Midlands Association for Directors of Children's Services Network's Team Excellence Awards.
It was one of 15 teams and organisations from across the region to be showcased at the annual event, which celebrates and enables councils to share best practice.
Wolverhampton Music Service provides high quality tuition and musical opportunities for youngsters from schools across the city, including the chance to perform with its flagship groups, Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra and Wolverhampton Youth Wind Orchestra.
Last year, it delivered around 500 hours of tuition to nearly 7,000 children in 82 schools across the city every week, and runs 15 free ensembles enjoyed by over 500 children and young people on a weekly basis.
Staff performed concerts to 54 primary schools in May during its #LiveMusicWton week and curated four large scale events at The University of Wolverhampton at The Halls enjoyed by over 7,000 pupils. Meanwhile, 66 students took part in a successful tour to Europe this summer where they performed three concerts in Italy.
The Music Service also works with partners to deliver additional Youth Theatre shows, rock and pop projects, inclusive music making sessions for special schools, Indian music provision and continued professional development for school staff.
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "Music is an incredibly important part of a child's education.
"It helps pupils develop their concentration and memory, improves their confidence and – in an era when you can get everything at a touch of a button – teaches them about perseverance, because learning to sing or play an instrument takes a great deal of time and commitment.
"Our Music Service does a fantastic job, inspiring and educating thousands of children and young people every week, and I am delighted that it has been recognised for its work by the West Midlands Association for Directors of Children's Services."
Jo Britton, Chair of West Midlands ADCS Network, said: "This year we have a real variety of disciplines represented, including those working in the fields of youth justice, early help and education.
"For me, this cuts to the core of what we do, and what we do is the best for our children, young people and their families. It doesn’t matter if we are working with a child who may be on the edge of criminality, or supporting another who has a passion to play a musical instrument, because when it comes to it, working holistically means we support each child in the right way and at the right time."
To find out more about Wolverhampton Music Service, please visit www.wolverhamptonmusicservice.org.uk.
Left to right, with their Team Excellence award are Wolverhampton Music Service's Sarah Fletcher, Ciaran O'Donnell and Sarah Tulley, and Brenda Wile, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Deputy Director of Education.
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