The organisation

The Voices Foundation believes that all children should have access to music education, regardless of background, ability or location. The Voices Foundation works with approximately 60 state primary schools every year, to develop and establish permanent singing-based music education programmes in conjunction with teachers and pupils. It also works with Trinity College London to offer a five-day programme in its methodology for musicians and teachers.

The programme

The year-long programme aims to equip teachers with the skills to teach music as they teach other subjects and to embed a sustainable music programme within the school’s everyday curriculum. This work leaves a lasting legacy in each of the participating schools. Many of them report back that the children have increased concentration, listening skills and social skills; children and teachers have increased confidence; and that overall behaviour has improved, improving the atmosphere at school.


How it fulfilled our aims as an organisation

This programme falls into two of the Foundation’s sectors of interest – Arts and Education. The increased skills and improved confidence of young people who benefit from this programme will help to prevent exclusion. The Voices Foundation’s training of the whole school staff is enlarging sympathies and increasing teachers’ understanding of the value of music within the wider school curriculum. 

How we helped

The Foundation has contributed £10,000 towards the programme in 2006/7.
“… Everything is much calmer. The children have learnt to listen to each other, to have the confidence to sing solo. And these skills are very easily transferred to learning to read and work in maths.” Head teacher, London

“I like singing at school. I have learned a song called ‘Here Comes Sally’ and I like to sing this.” Pupil