CBSO out to convert Birmingham youngsters to classical music
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is embarking on a quest to introduce 8,000 local children to classical music – in many cases for the first time.
Music Director Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla will conduct four schools concerts at Symphony Hall on Monday and Tuesday (January 30-31), with repertoire including Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite and Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man.
The concerts will be presented by Rachel Leach, a specialist in devising and leading concerts for young people.
Ms Gražinytė-Tyla said: “I am so looking forward to conducting the Schools Concerts with the CBSO. It’s incredibly important that we share our love for music with young people. During these concerts, the Orchestra and I will find ways to plant a seed of desire for music in their hearts. I feel that for all of us, the things we experience in our childhood can make a huge impact for the rest of our lives.”
The total cost of staging the CBSO’s School’s concerts is over £60,000; with 65% of the cost covered by a combination of ticket income (£5 per ticket) and funding from Birmingham Music Service. Additional support totalling more than £8,500 has been received from individual donors and one of CBSO’s long-term corporate partners, business advisory firm Deloitte.
Claire Evans, partner at Deloitte in the Midlands said: “As long-term corporate supporters of the CBSO we are delighted to support Mirga’s involvement in this season’s school concerts. She is a fantastic role-model – and exposure to live, world-class music gives young people a fantastic opportunity to experience something really special which could develop into a lifelong love of the arts and culture or awaken in them latent talent.
“Creativity is a vital, rewarding and yet often overlooked or undervalued attribute. We as a business want to do what we can to help broaden the horizons of those children across Birmingham that may not have had the opportunity to experience live music. As such this felt like a fantastic and enriching project to support.”
Ciaran O’ Donnell, Head of Birmingham Music Service said: “We are very fortunate to have a world class orchestra on our doorstep with the vision to inspire the next generation of musicians and concert goers. For many young people, these KS3 concerts will be their first experience of listening to a live orchestra.
“That is why, since 2012, Services for Education has continued to use Arts Council funding to support fully subsidised tickets for every year 7 child in a Birmingham school.
“It is a unique offer for our schools and an industry-wide exemplar of effective music education. To have Mirga conducting the concerts this year is yet another exciting development in this excellent partnership.”
The CBSO has appealed for other donors to follow Deloitte’s lead; £10 would cover the cost for four children to attend a concert, £75 would enable a whole class to attend and £250 would fund the cost for 100 children.
