LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY MUSIC AWARDS
1999/2000

DIPLOMAS

Southampton's year on year improvement since regaining its LEA status in 1997 was noted in our last report and evidence of that abounds in this submission. The cost of instrumental provision to schools was frozen at £25 per hour of tuition for three years. In 1999/00, the LEA increased the amount of money delegated to schools for music with the result that 50% of schools now provide free instrumental tuition and, unsurprisingly, provision has expanded. The LEA has a firm policy on integrated music services provision with the aim of establishing an ensemble for every learner and interested participant: the number of available ensembles increased from nine to 16 in the initial year and to 22 by 2000. Jazz, rock, pop and classical genres were covered, and participation in all ensembles was free. A "Singing Works" project was successfully in developing singing at all stages of school life. Professional recorder player (Piers Adams), tabla player (Manjit Singh), trumpeter (Guy Barker), singers (from the Welsh National Opera) and orchestral players (from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra) contributed through workshops, master classes and performance, including joint performances. The Music Service and the Youth Service were working together closely, especially in the City's most deprived areas. Considerable effort has been devoted by the LEA, working jointly with the Portsmouth and Isle of Wight LEAs, to the preparation of the Solent Music Project. This investment of Standards Fund moneys holds out genuine promise of broadening access to music making and raising standards. A key element of the project is to give opportunities to participate in music to young people not currently engaged in musical activity, particularly those in disadvantaged areas and to boys.

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