A pioneering cooperative has been chosen to provide a new music service in schools in Conwy.
The North Wales Music Cooperative will be launching the service in September and is already recruiting tutors to work with them.
The organisation already works in Denbighshire and Wrexham and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, winning a raft of major awards along the way.
The move follows a decision by Conwy County Borough Council to change to an external provider to safeguard music provision in its schools, which resulted in uncertainty for the council’s peripatetic music teachers facing redundancy.
According to the cooperative’s Head of Service, Heather Powell, she knows how the teachers feel because she was in exactly the same position a decade ago.
She and her colleagues formed the music cooperative in 2015 in the aftermath of a financial crisis that saw funding for peripatetic music teachers being axed in Denbighshire.
Two years later history repeated itself in Wrexham and the cooperative launched a successful music service there too.
Heather Powell said: “We’ve been through this process twice before and that experience is going to stand us in good stead in getting things moving in Conwy.
“Ten years ago I was one of the redundant tutors in Denbighshire. I’ve been there myself, I get how that feels. I had young children at the time. It was a scary and a difficult place to be but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“As in Denbighshire and Wrexham, there is also a way forward in Conwy and I’m sure it will work out for the better because the way we work, as a not-for-profit, third sector organisation, means that we can offer more opportunities.
“It is positive in so many ways, not least because it chimes with the Welsh Government’s National Plan for Music which is encouraging more regional and national work,
“This allows us to work across three counties, sharing resources and support the tutors with things like professional development – and ultimately it’s going to be better for the children as well.
“We’ll provide a range of one-to-one lessons across Conwy with particular support for vulnerable learners and those receiving free school meals.
“We’ll be running a range of ensembles and a range of extra-curricular activities for the children.
“This will be alongside a full range of examinations, GCSE support and musical opportunities, regionally and nationally.
“It’s a really comprehensive service. As well as teaching singing and the more traditional instruments, we also have things like rapping, DJing, beat boxing and a sign language choir.
“We work with children in mainstream education, those in specialist education as well as children who are being home-schooled – so it’s a good and full offer for kids in Conwy.
“We’re in a period of transition now so we’re advertising for new members to teach on our behalf in Conwy.
“The service will be officially launched in September by our bilingual, in-house band, Make Some Noise, going on tour which will be live in Conwy secondary schools and virtual, online for the primary schools.
“Our vision is to make sure that music does not become elitist – that every child who wishes can learn to sing or play an instrument.
“We will be working alongside Conwy County Borough Council to ensure there is provision for every child, irrespective of their financial background.
“Although this is new to Conwy, it’s a tried and trusted formula. We know it works well and we hope it will also work for many years in Conwy.
“This is a new way forward that makes music in schools sustainable – it’s a proven, award-winning model.”
It was a sentiment echoed by cooperative Chair, Cllr Mark Young, a member of Denbighshire County Council, who said: “We understand the process in getting to this point has been difficult for some people in Conwy but we’ve seen the service being rolled out successfully in Denbighshire and Wrexham and I’m sure it will be a major benefit in Conwy too.
“I believe there is strength in numbers and having Conwy joining our ranks will provide added sustainability.
“The music cooperative has a brilliant track record of making a really positive difference to the lives of children and young people.
“There will be fantastic opportunities for all and all the teachers are passionate about delivering quality lessons for their students.
“Wales is the Land of Song and this is all about ensuring that music continues as a living, breathing thing in schools in Conwy.”
Cllr Julie Fallon, Conwy County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “At a time when budgets are under pressure like never before, this is the best way forward to ensure we have an excellent and financially sustainable music service in our schools.
“The North Wales Music Cooperative have an outstanding track record in delivering music provision in an engaging and effective way that enthuses children and young people whilst providing work for music tutors.
“This gives us confidence that what they have achieved in Denbighshire and Wrexham can be replicated and built on here in Conwy.
“In addition to the funding provided by the council, the cooperative can apply for independent grants to increase musical opportunities for pupils, such as extra-curricular provision, school holiday programmes and the purchase of new instruments.
“We are encouraging schools to engage with the cooperative to ensure that our learners are getting the most out of the funding provided by the Welsh Government.”
