Students enjoying their classical music programme at Outwood Academy Riverside

A whole year group at a Middlesbrough secondary school have fallen in love with music after being given the chance to learn a classical instrument.

All Year 7 pupils at Outwood Academy Riverside have been busy practicing the trumpet or clarinet during their school day on the Andrew Lloyd Webber backed Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST) programme.

Melissa Brant-Smith, Principal at the school, said:

“Our students have been given a fantastic opportunity in learning a classical instrument and are really enjoying the experience so far. 

“Working in partnership with MiSST will not only enhance the cultural capital of our students but will also allow them to stand out from their peers when it comes to future opportunities.” 

MiSST was launched last year at the town centre school, allowing 200 children at the academy to join more than 440 pupils at the King’s Academy in Coulby Newham who were already part of the project.

The programme was introduced in Middlesbrough following an approach from Deputy Mayor Mieka Smiles, who recently had a chance to catch up with the tuneful youngsters at Outwood Academy Riverside during a visit.

Ismail, 11, is learning to play the clarinet, he said:

“I think it’s been really fun. It was hard at first, but I like to practice. I think without MiSST I wouldn’t have even known that the clarinet existed.”

Lola, also aged 11, agreed:

“I play the clarinet and I already liked playing the piano.

“It is really fun and it isn’t that hard. The piano was already good because I practiced at home, but now I love the clarinet as well.”

Cllr Smiles, who is also Executive Member for Children’s Services, was impressed by the young musicians.

“It’s been fantastic to see so many young people learning a new instrument and wonderful to hear from them about their passion for music,” she said.

“Without the MiSST programme, then nine out of ten young people in Middlesbrough would not be able to access music lessons like this.

“We’re determined to roll this out at other schools and our ambition is to get a musical instrument into the hands of every young person in Middlesbrough.”

Middlesbrough Council made funding available to bring the project to schools in the town with support from MiSST and funding from the schools themselves.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, renowned composer and musical theatre impresario has previously praised the “irrefutable” positive impact of the arts on health, social mobility and wellbeing, saying:

"I passionately believe that everyone in this country, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, should be able to participate and I am thrilled MiSST's music programme will make the difference for these young people."