On Thursday 1 June, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) held its first ‘Youth Create Day’ at LSO St Luke’s in Islington.
Young disabled people from across East London had the opportunity to experiment with new instruments and technology, improvise in a group and enjoy performances from the LSO’s world-class musicians.
The event took place as part of a programme run by the LSO and funded by Youth Music with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL).
PPL Ambassador and former X Factor finalist Danyl was a special guest on the day, and got stuck into music-making alongside the young people taking part.
Danyl said: “As a musician, I know from personal experience how the power of music can change lives but I’m just blown away by this LSO project and the difference its music programme is making to young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
"I think players of People’s Postcode Lottery would be delighted to know that they are supporting Youth Music and the LSO with this work, which is changing many young lives across East London."
The LSO’s ‘Strategic Approach to Musical Inclusion’ programme is running a wide range of activities over a three-year span. Its overall aim is to improve the inclusive music-making opportunities on offer to young disabled people across East London.
This will include the creation of three ‘Inclusive Ensembles’ in collaboration with specialist partners including Spitalfields Music and Drake Music, bringing together young musicians both with and without learning disabilities to create and perform music together. At the culmination of the programme in 2019, all three ensembles will come together for an East London-wide massed ensemble project. The LSO will also be providing creative music workshops in special schools and training for teachers and music tutors.
The programme is designed in close partnership with the Music Services in ten East London boroughs, and builds on learning from a previous two-year ‘LSO Special Schools’ programme, also funded by Youth Music.
A successful day
Taking place in the summer half-term holiday, the Youth Create Day was the first in a series of taster workshops happening throughout the three-year programme.
The LSO’s Youth Create Days are designed to signpost young disabled people to the range of other opportunities within the programme, as well as those provided by the LSO’s partner organisations across East London.
The day brought together more than 50 young visitors who’d never met each other before for some improvised group music-making using a range of instruments and technology. The excitement in the air was palpable, with smiles and focused concentration showing how much the experimental young musicians were enjoying themselves.
The workshop was run in partnership with two other organisations also supported by Youth Music. Drake Music and Heart n Soul are both experts in working with young disabled musicians and will be working closely with the LSO over the course of the programme.
Young people could try out different instruments ranging from the traditional…
…to the more unusual, like pieces of fruit hooked up to a circuit board, turning them into percussion instruments!
The programme will give young disabled people across East London valuable opportunities to express themselves, meet new friends and make music in a group – helping them develop communication and social skills as well as exploring their creative and musical potential.
It’s also aiming to build a legacy of better support and opportunities so that every young disabled musician across East London can keep progressing on their own musical journey, both in and out of school.