The Year of Music was announced to schools by Ed Balls in July. This initiative is a high-profile national campaigntogiveeverychildthe chanceto get more from music.  In a letter to head teachers nationwide in July, he stated ‘a campaign that unites everyone in celebrating, extending and developing participation in music and other forms of cultural activity will provide a national spotlight for all the superb work schools are already doing. I hope it will also provide and inspire national direction, leadership and commitment, bringing schools, communities and families together to further enjoy the magic of new and diverse types of music.’   

Devon Music Service is using the Year of Music as a significant opportunity to demonstrate that music can have a huge impact in the lives of all children and young people.   

• The Mix festival 2010 will be a huge celebration event highlighting the theme 'music for all.'
• DMS will be launching a brand new Choir Festival in March 2010.
• We are currently exploring a collaboration with Wren Music and Exeter schools to support a school cluster singing programme which will culminate in summer 2010. This project seeks to extend the range and reach of singing opportunities for young people of all ages in the city of Exeter, working across formal and informal settings.
• We hope to work with Super Act to deliver a programme of support for all our special schools which will culminate at the Mix.
• A Brass Celebration project is planned for 2010 which will involve the Band of the Royal Signals, a Young Brass Player of the Year competition and Cory Brass Band. Simon Dobson [composer and Assistant Conductor of the National Youth Brass Band] has agreed to compose a special piece so that all brass pupils can take part from the first beginnings through to professional level.
• Players from DYJO are working with young people from Ellen Tinkham Special School.
• DMS will continue to develop the collaboration with Exeter Cathedral to deliver Chorister Outreach in primary schools.
• We are also continuing to develop a 'singing in the playground' initiative.
• Devon’s county ensembles programme offers opportunities for many Gifted and Talented young people in the county. Currently more than 50% of LA young people attending have been identified as 'Gifted and Talented' in their schools.
• DMS supports Wider Opportunities teaching in schools where 91% of our primary schools engage in giving children in KS2 the chance to learn to play a musical instrument and/or sing.

Important Research Findings for the National Year of Music:

Professor Susan Hallam (Dean of the Faculty of Policy and Society and Professor of Education at the Institute of Education, University of London) has recently published a research paper: The power of music: its impact on the intellectual, social and personal development of children and young people (118KB - pdf help).  This is of particular relevance in the National Year of Music.

Look out for further announcements in the coming months.