Based on our long established First Strings Experience, which provides early years string training from the age of four, this programme is managed by the Academy's Widening Participation Department in local primary schools. There are currently 270 children taking part across three school year groups. Over 10 weeks each term, the programme builds from a weekly lesson in music development for reception children and then longer classes for YR1 and YR2, at which point the students can continue learning to play cello or violin. Both schools have reported wider benefits for the children, including:
- Improved concentration and focus skills, with overall benefits for academic achievement
- Improved teamwork and increased sense of belonging within the group
- CFSE becoming part of daily life within the schools, including singing songs in school assemblies
This year marked the end of the first three-year cycle of the programme. In celebration of this occasion, the students enjoyed a day full of music at the Academy. Participants had the opportunity to see instruments from our Strings Collection, take part in creative music workshops, meet our students and watch the older year groups from the programme perform on the Duke’s Hall stage, before a special prize giving ceremony.
The Academy is proud to announce that five of the graduating students successfully auditioned to join the new ‘First Strings Experience Year 4’ course at the Academy. This new addition to the FSE scheme, means that students aged between seven and eight can benefit from specialist coaching. In addition, all students who took part in CFSE will be given the opportunity to continue lessons at school or in their local area.
It is our ambition that this new pathway project could encourage more students to continue to learn to play a musical instrument with the help of the Academy. The creation of CFSE and the new 'First Strings Experience Year 4' has been made possible thanks to philanthropic support.
CFSE is one of the projects delivered by the Academy’s Widening Participation Department, who identify, support and mentor children and young people from groups currently under-represented among those who choose to study at conservatoires. So far this year, the team has engaged with nearly 750 young people, with lots more activity planned, including an upcoming Summer School and packed schedule for the autumn term. Find out more.