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SUPPORTING BPO'S EDUCATION PROJECTS ACROSS SUSSEX
On Sunday 6th September, my BPO colleagues and I will be swimming, cycling and running to raise money for BPO’s education outreach programme. Finance Manager Kate will swim 1500m in open water, Chair Jon will cycle 40km along the seafront, and I’ll pick up the baton for the final leg, running 10km to the finish line.
Between the three of us, we have had eight children in Brighton & Hove schools over four decades. School music departments are stretched, and numbers of pupils selecting music for GCSE and A-level are in decline. Enrichment programmes beyond the classroom are essential, giving pupils opportunities to hear live performances, and be inspired by great musicians to pursue their own musical journey.
Last season's education projects spanned film music lectures, masterclasses and percussion workshops, reaching hundreds of pupils across eight local schools, with ambitious plans to grow this over the year ahead. With no public funding, we rely on the generosity of friends, patrons, sponsors and grants to make this work possible.
Raised funds will support our new young players ensemble Brighton Spring to lead masterclasses and side-by-side performances in local schools, pop artist Bishi to visit to local schools looking at song-writing, and percussionist Adriano Adewale to return to Brighton and reach more junior schools with his spectacular ‘sounds of the rainforest’ workshops.
PRAISE FOR OUR OUTREACH LAST YEAR
Adriano's assembly was absolutely phenomenal. Everyone who was there cannot stop talking about it. It was amazing to see Adriano make what sounded like a 5 piece band from just one percussion instrument and the rainforest soundscape was spellbinding. The children who took part in the workshop absolutely loved it and came back completely buzzing. Sophia Booth, Y6 Teacher and Music Lead, St Andrew’s C of E Primary School Hove
Once again, thank you for your continued support for us here at Patcham. I have been able to have several conversations with students using Adriano's wise sentiments and it is clear that the students took his words and philosophies to heart. Each of [the BPO’s] events are expanding the cultural worlds of our children and providing a meaningful musical experience.’ - Stefan Mapp, Head of Music, Patcham High School