#Convo2019Convo: Massed School Participation

“From our Earth’s beginnings, to the connected world we live in today, music has always been a universal means of communication. Bird songs to love songs, ancient scores to film scores, Morse code to coding, ‘Convo’ explores how music gives us all a voice and our lives a soundtrack.” 

BackgroundIn March 2017, the Tri-borough Music Hub (TBMH), along with its Strategic Partners at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal College of Music announced details of their next large-scale project and performance event, ‘Convo’.  Thanks to core-funding from John Lyon’s Charity, this ambitious project will see young musicians from schools across Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster working together on a new musical work written by Charlotte Harding which will be premiered at the Royal Albert Hall on 7th March 2019.

A massed instrumental ensemble of c.120 TBMH young musicians will play side-by-side with professional musicians, supporting a massed chorus of c.1000 primary, secondary and special school pupils. The performance will be the culmination of an extensive two-year project of creative music-making and development across the TBMH which aims to embed best musical practice as an essential part of school life, giving invaluable musical opportunities to all pupils in the area irrespective of their background.

StructureThe piece will be c.60-70 mins written for massed instrumental and vocal forces. It will comprise three movements, chronologically exploring the history of music as a means of communication.

I: Earth Calling – an exploration of the early beginnings of music as communication. Includes a bird song inspired choral piece, a conversational ancestral drum feature and a folk song. II: Pen to Paper – an exploration of the development of notated music, from the early cuneiform tablets of the Ancient Near East, through to Western orchestral and contemporary graphic scores.III: Devices – an exploration of the impact of technology, featuring Morse code, a silent film score and live-coding of electronic music.

Throughout the project, the TBMH, RAH and RCM will be working with several Partner Organisations who will be involved with both the creative development of the piece

#Convo2019and the live performance. These will include Sonic Pi, Inspire Works and the English Folk Dance & Song Society.

Massed School Participation OverviewThis performance event will feature a vast numbers of performers representing the reach of the work of the Tri-borough Music Hub. We can offer 45 Tri-borough schools the opportunity to participate in this major project and perform in the Royal Albert Hall on 7 th March 2019.

Cost (there is none!)Through hard work to fundraise for Convo we are able to offer this project to schools for FREE! The equivalent cost per participating school is approximately £2500.

How the performers will be organisedBelow are the estimated numbers from different groups of performers representing all three Local Authorities:Who How Many TotalInstrumental Ensemble: Tri-borough Youth Orchestra Tri-borough Folk Ensemble Sonic Pi coding *Professional adults *House band*Albert’s Band Musicians; RCM Students; TBMH Tutors

50 students 40 students 2 students and 1 adult 24 adults 4 adults

121

TBMH Vocal Ensembles: The Young Singers AKA Singers Tri-borough Chamber Choir

80 students 70 students 30 students

180

*Primary Massed Singers: Hammersmith & Fulham Kensington & Chelsea Westminster*Years 5/6

160 *performers / 8 schools 160 *performers / 8 schools 160 *performers / 8 schools*each school brings 18 pupils plus 2 performing adults

480

*SEN/D Massed Singers: Hammersmith & Fulham Kensington & Chelsea Westminster*Years Group as appropriate, guided by schools

31 *performers / 2 schools 31 *performers / 2 schools 31 *performers / 2 schools*pupil/adult ratio to be agreed with each school but with no more than 16 performers per school

94

*Secondary Massed Singers: Hammersmith & Fulham Kensington & Chelsea Westminster*Years 7/8

100 *performers / 5 schools 100 *performers / 5 schools 100 *performers / 5 schools*each school brings 18 pupils plus 2 performing adults

300

Totals Total Primary Schools = 24 schools Total SEN/D Schools = 6 schools Total Secondary Schools = 15 schools TOTAL SCHOOLS = 45 SCHOOLS

1175

Please note the following:

#Convo2019a) The Primary/Secondary above refers to phase groups, not just mainstream

schools, (i.e. this opportunity is also open to Alternative Provision settings).b) Pupils who are members of the one of the five Tri-borough Music Hub

Ensembles/Choirs will be involved in Convo in these groups and not with their school. Therefore, those pupils should not be counted as one of your school’s selected pupils to be in the massed choir.

#Convo2019School Timeline, Milestone Dates and Date CommitmentsALREADY HAPPENEDSummer term 2017:

May 2017: TBMH releases details of how 7 schools can be involved in the Research and Development Phase of the project

June 2017: TBMH confirms the 7 schools (Westminster Special Schools-College Park & QEII; Chelsea Academy; Greycoat; Hammersmith Academy; St. Mary Abbots; St. Charles; St. John Walham Green)

Autumn term 2017: September-December 2017: Charlotte Harding works with R&D schools,

supported by team of RCM students and TBMH colleaguesSpring term 2018:

January – March 2018: Charlotte Harding works with R&D schools February 2018: TBMH releases details of launch event in summer term to all

schools

PLANNED ACTIVITY TO COMESummer term 2018:

Wednesday 18 April 2018: schools launch event for Convo project. This will outline how all the massed schools can access the project, followed by Expressions of Interest open for schools to register

Friday 11th May 2018: School’s Expressions of Interest closing date By 23rd May 2018: TBMH selects schools based on participation criteria and

informs schools of outcome. NOTE: If we are oversubscribed, we will ensure that schools not initially selected are:a) added to a waiting list should any other school withdraw; and b) they are given priority to other high-profile TBMH performance events in 2018-19.

Tuesday 19th June 2018: schools confirm their acceptance of offered place with agreement signed by head teacher and chair of governors

Autumn term 2018: Thursday 20 September 2018: at least one teacher from each confirmed

participating school attends Twilight CPD training event to receive resources, go through music, and plan repertoire timelines.

October 2018: schools learn the music with support visits from TBMH Vocal Team

November 2018: schools come together for localised cluster rehearsalsSpring term 2019:

Thursday 10th January 2019: at least one teacher from each confirmed participating school attends Twilight CPD mid-project training event to cover challenges and any issues that may occur

February 2019: schools come together for localised cluster rehearsals March 2019: ALL schools come together for Local Authority wide rehearsals

o Monday 4th March LBHF Massed rehearsal – 10.00-1.00o Tuesday 5th March WCC Massed rehearsal – 10.00-1.00o Wednesday 6th March RBKC Massed rehearsal – 10.00-1.00

Note: times may change, and venues are TBC at present PERFORMANCE DAY: Thursday 7h March:

o 12.30-1.15 – Arrive at RAHo 2.00-5.00 – Dress Rehearsal

#Convo2019o 5.00-6.30 – Breako 7.00-8.30 – Performanceo 8.30-9.00 – Leave

Summer term 2019: April-May 2019: schools participate in post-project evaluative process and

provide feedback as to impact on pupils and schools June-July 2019: evaluative report and project summary is published.

Autumn term 2019: September 2019 onwards: musical delivery, content and capacity continues

to build in schools, and at TBMH centralised ensembles.Criteria for Massed-School Participation in Convo project The TBMH is looking to work with 45 schools for Convo - 7 have already been selected through participation in the R&D process, leaving 38 school places available as below:

LBHF: 7x primary schools; 4 x secondary schools; 2x SEN/D schools RBKC: 6x primary schools; 4 x secondary schools; 2x SEN/D schools WCC: 8x primary schools; 4 x secondary schools

Note: - If we do not recruit the full proposed number of schools, we will either

a) offer the project to schools from other LAs who have expressed their interest; and/or b) invite the schools that have signed up to bring more than the stated number of

pupils through agreement with the TBMH.

- If we are oversubscribed, then we will use a criterion including each school’s written application to establish need and applicability.

We are inviting schools to express their interest in being considered to participate in the Convo project. Below is more information about the process, the criteria and the commitment from each school. Your school at present:

Has a commitment to music/arts being integrated in your school’s wider educational vision to ensure that your pupils receive a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum beyond core subjects; and can evidence this through the use of the TBMH Self-Evaluation Tool;

Can demonstrate how your school’s approach to singing is progressively structured, and can evidence this through the use of the TBMH’s Vocal Strategy Guidance for schools;

Supports the strategic role of the Music Hub and is signed up as a TBMH ‘School Music Partner’;

Your school will commit to: Having a named Lead person for Music who will act as the principal contact

point for all aspects of this Convo project, and respond in a timely fashion to all communications;

Identifying a cohort of *pupils that will perform in the event through agreements with TBMH; and providing all pupil information to the TBMH to conform with all child performance licensing legislation;*Pupils MUST be from Years 5/6/7/8 (other than SEN/D pupils)

Fully musically preparing your selected pupils for the performance according to the parts you have been allocated to learn;

#Convo2019 Ensuring that staff will be released to attend the centralised INSET/CPDs, and

rehearsals:o All schools - Thursday 20th Sept 2018 twilighto All schools - Thursday 10th Jan 2019 twilight;o Monday 4th March LBHF Massed rehearsal – 10.00-1.00o Tuesday 5th March WCC Massed rehearsal – 10.00-1.00o Wednesday 6th March RBKC Massed rehearsal – 10.00-1.00o Performance day Thursday 7th March 2019 – all day and evening

Ensuring that pupils will be released to attend the workshops, required rehearsals and support them in fully learning the repertoire;

o Monday 4th March LBHF Massed rehearsal – 10.00-1.00o Tuesday 5th March WCC Massed rehearsal – 10.00-1.00o Wednesday 6th March RBKC Massed rehearsal – 10.00-1.00o Performance day Thursday 7th March 2019 – all day and evening

Will fully engage in the externally organised independent evaluation of the project undertaken by Partnership First;

Understanding that all stages of this project will be filmed/photographed and therefore, pupils involved will need to have the relevant school permissions;

Becoming a ‘champion’ for the Convo project by promoting the project within your school networks and communication channels

An agreement signed by Head teacher and Chair of Governors committing to the project and everything it entails;

In your own words:

Please provide a written commentary below in no more than 300 words explaining:

o why you feel your school could benefit from this project, and what you expect this project to offer your school as a legacy beyond the end event;

o how it fits in with your overall school strategy of engaging/supporting music and the arts;

o how it will support your strategic approach to singing in school (referencing the TBMH Vocal Strategy guidance);

#Convo2019o your own self-evaluation of your music provision (using the TBMH self-

evaluation document) and how being involved in Convo would address

any gaps or future ambitions.

Please use this box to write your commentary:

#Convo2019

In return, the Tri-borough Music Hub will:

Provide each participating school with a full resource pack;o Sheet Music (printed format and e-versions)o Audio recordings (hard format and online)

Provide all participating schools with the offer of support visits (in school and/or as a cluster) from our vocal specialists to help children and teachers learn and rehearse the songs. Note that support visits will be based on need, and schools may be required to travel to geographically close schools as part of a cluster session.

Organise all logistics for the performance event and liaise with schools about their pupils’ needs;

Provide t-shirts for each performer that they can keep;

Be responsible, along with colleagues from the RAH and RCM, to produce a professional-level performance event in one of the world’s leading venues;

Securely submit all child licensing paperwork to the Local Authority, once each school has sent all accurate details for each pupil performer;

o Each Head Teacher to sign, date and return to us the School Performance Event Agreement form.o Complete the spreadsheet with the details of the pupils who will be performing.

The full name of every participating pupil The date of birth of every participating pupil (or age of pupil on the performance date) The borough of residence of participating pupils (If there are any significant medical needs, please tell us so we can plan accordingly)

Promote the event through publicity with colleagues from the RAH and RCM, including the use of social media platforms;

Offer early-bird discounted ticket offers for parents/carers of the pupils performing at the participating schools. This offer will also be open to those schools to bring other classes to watch the event;

Produce a cross-curricular resource pack with Schemes of Work that can be used by the whole school featuring content by Charlotte Harding focused on composition; Inspire-Works world drumming and dance; Sonic Pi music coding; English Folk Dance & Song Society heritage and resources;

Document the project and performance through photographs/film and make these available to participating schools (a small fee will apply to purchasing high resolution photos);

Commission an independent evaluation of the entire project focusing on project outcomes and ambitions;

#Convo2019 Provide VIP tickets for at least 2 guests per participating school (intended for

Head teacher and a Governor, but at the discretion of each school), and to be invited to a drinks reception after the performance.

#Convo2019

Expression of Interest to participate in Convo as one of the Performing schools

If you would like to discuss any of the details about participating in Convo, please contact stuart.whatmore@rbkc.gov.uk.

My school is registering an expression of interest in being one of the schools for Convo; agrees to meet the criteria points above, and has completed the 300-word commentary.

The named person for music in my school is:

Their email address is:

We agree to fully participate in this project from Sep 2018 to March 2019.

We understand that should we accept the opportunity and then subsequently withdraw (through no fault of the Music Hub) that we may be invoiced a cancellation fee of up to £500 to represent the financial investment made by the TBMH, RAH, and RCM. (£250 for any cancellation pre-Christmas 2018; and £500 after Christmas).

Signed: .................................................(Head teacher)

Date:........................................................................................

Signed: .................................................(Governor)

Date:........................................................................................

PLEASE RETURN THE SIGNED AND COMPLETED FORM TO

#Convo2019info@triboroughmusichub.org with the subject title “Convo EOI”

by Friday 11th May 2018

Over-subscription CriteriaIn the event that we have more schools expressing their interest to be involved in this project than we have places for, then we will use a criterion to establish need and applicability. We aim to make this a transparent process with clear guidelines for involvement. We will ensure that schools not initially selected are:

a) added to a waiting list should any other school withdraw; and b) they are given priority to other high-profile TBMH performance

events in 2018-19 (e.g. Christmas festivals, Infant Voices, Year 10 Day, Vocal Showcase etc)

The TBMH is looking to work with 45 schools for Convo - 7 have already been selected through participation in the R&D process, leaving 38 school places available as below:

LBHF: 7x primary schools; 4 x secondary schools; 2x SEN/D schools RBKC: 6x primary schools; 4 x secondary schools; 2x SEN/D schools WCC: 8x primary schools; 4 x secondary schools

Questions for the TBMH to use in event of oversubscription:

Has the school clearly articulated why this project fits with their Strategic development of music/the arts?

Has the school clearly demonstrated a commitment to placing music/the arts at the heart of their school development plan?

Has the school demonstrated commitment to the development of their school music by being involved in any TBMH performance events in the past 2 years – Christmas Festivals, Infant Voices, Battle of the Bands, Vocal Showcase?

#Convo2019 Has the school engaged with the termly/annual workforce

development opportunities offered by the TBMH?

Has the school previously committed to taking part in something and then subsequently withdrawn, through no fault of the TBMH?