Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is pleased to be working with Malcolm Arnold Academy in Northampton to support their music development and extend RCM's Sparks programme beyond London. Sir Malcolm Arnold left his childhood home of Northampton to take up a scholarship at RCM aged 16 and went on to become a prolific film composer. The relationship between Malcolm Arnold Academy and RCM has particular historic resonance.
The Royal College of Music believes that music changes people's lives as it helps to express emotion, to focus the mind and to stimulate the imagination. RCM Sparks is the College's ground-breaking learning and participation programme which provides opportunities for everyone to make or learn about music at the RCM, regardless of background or ability.
RCM Sparks was established in 2007 with the aim of widening access to and participation in classical music and to train RCM students to lead educational activity and become the next generation of music teachers and animateurs. Our talented students are wonderful ambassadors for the power of music, and are passionate about sharing their love of music.
RCM Sparks activities range from bespoke projects delivered in and for schools to events for the community - from weekend workshops for children to holiday courses for teenagers, vocal days for families to opera matinees for schools, RCM Sparks offers a musically enriching experience for all.
RCM Sparks enjoyed a particularly successful year in 2009-10, offering over 100 RCM students training and opportunities to work with people whose first-hand experience of live music is limited or non-existent. We worked with over 3,000 young people and members of the community, many of whom were from disadvantaged backgrounds and otherwise would have no access to music.
Students from Malcolm Arnold Academy and trustees from the foundation attended a special event on Wednesday 13 July to celebrate the 6th anniversary of RCM Sparks "Musicians of the Future”. This project has enabled twenty-four pupils each year from state schools to benefit from free one-to-one instrumental tuition. The performances in the RCM’s Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall brought together RCM students and musicians who had taken part in the project over the past six years to showcase this excellent young talent.
David Ross Foundation is the lead supporter of RCM Sparks.
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