LONDON CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Music Junction – London Chamber Orchestra's Education and Outreach Project

Music Junction, London Chamber Orchestra’s flagship education project, currently takes place in four Hubs across London and South East England. Unique in its concept, the project reaches a wide range of young people by involving private schools, academies and Barnardo’s schools and projects to share together in the thrill of music-making. Teamwork, interaction and mutual respect are at the heart of the project as these groups of young people, who are otherwise unlikely to meet, work together.

LCO’s musicians and experienced workshop leaders inspire and support participants, sharing expertise and enthusiasm and highlighting the important role that music can play in stimulating life-long enthusiasm, skills and values.

At the heart of each season is a series of workshops that culminate in a showcase performance within an LCO season concert. Participants work creatively by improvising, composing, arranging and structuring their work in response to the theme for the season. Before workshops begin, young people are invited to attend LCO rehearsals and sit amongst the players, familiarising themselves with the live orchestral environment.

Participating schools attest to the transformative impact that the programme has on young people from all backgrounds, particularly their increase in self-confidence and levels of aspiration for the future.

“None of us will ever forget days like yesterday and I tell everyone prepared to listen - these children will now be able to approach future challenges… they accomplished so much during this project and if they can do that, they can do ANYTHING!” - Barnardo’s teacher