Council invests to keep the music playing

The City of Wolverhampton Council is investing £90,000 over the next three years to ensure children and young people can continue to experience the joy of live music.

The funding will build on a pilot project launched in 2023 with support from Arts Council England, which saw the Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and Wolverhampton Music Service join forces to stage free concerts for thousands of secondary age pupils across Wolverhampton.

The annual event, the third of which took place last month, featured a 'super orchestra' of over 100 young and adult musicians performing a specially curated programme, An Orchestral Adventure Through Time, at the city's premier music venue, The University of Wolverhampton at The Halls.

Every secondary school in Wolverhampton has been involved in the pilot, with Music Service teachers creating curriculum-linked materials to be used back in the classroom.

With Arts Council of England funding ending this year, the project was at risk – but the council has now stepped in to keep the music playing.

Council leader Councillor Stephen Simkins said, said: "Learning about music – and having the chance to make music together is a vital part of a rich and rounded education, and Wolverhampton Music Service provides exceptional opportunities for thousands of children every week, helping them develop skills, confidence and creativity.

"We are proud to make this invest in the service so that its inspiring large‑scale concerts at our city's iconic Halls can continue. They offer a unique experience for the pupils who attend, showcasing the power of live music and bringing young people and professional musicians together in a truly unforgettable way.”

Head of Wolverhampton Music Service, Ciaran O’Donnell, added: “Every child should have the chance to hear a live orchestra during their school years – it’s the most powerful and authentic way to understand what an orchestra is and what it can do.

"Bringing together more than 100 musicians to perform for thousands of local pupils at The Halls is a truly special experience, both for the young people watching and the performers on stage. We are immensely grateful to the City of Wolverhampton Council for this funding, which will ensure we can continue offering these inspiring concerts for years to come.”

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. To find out more, please visit www.wolverhamptonmusicservice.org.uk.