Congratulations to the music team and all of our young singers and musicians on the achievement of a ‘Music Mark’ for Ark Pioneer. Music Mark is the UK Association for Music Education, championing and supporting access to music for all children and young people. This is the second time we have been awarded the mark, nominated by BEAT (Barnet Education & Arts Trust) in recognition of Ark Pioneer’s commitment to music education. We are very grateful for the support of BEAT, who together with Ark Schools Music Programme, ensure Ark Pioneer pupils have access to a range of opportunities to perform, workshops to develop and scholarships celebrating excellence in music.
At Ark Pioneer, our music offer is wide ranging spanning opportunities in the timetabled enrichment programme and well beyond as part of our extra-curricular offer. We encourage all pupils to play an instrument – this includes subsidising as a school instrumental lessons for all pupils (piano, strings, percussion, brass – we source teachers for whatever pupils are interested in in their transition meeting or when they join). We do subsidise the cost further for pupils with FSM. Our musicians are encouraged to take part in various instrumental ensembles throughout the week at lunchtime including our concert band, strings ensemble and two rock bands. We nominate pupils for the network orchestra (Ark Fusion) and they have a serious of Satrday rehearsals and an Easter residential.
Our singers have lots of opportunities - pupils can take part in choir Tuesday lunchtime and during Thursday enrichment. Singers are also nominated for the Ark Spark network choir where they can sing as part of a substantial group. We also join performances with BEAT (Barnet Education and Arts Trust) and have performed 2 years running at the Royal Albert Hall as part of a Barnados charity show.
Both musicians and singers take part in the Ark Gala performance every year, an annual network show in the Barbican – this incorporated 38 Ark schools last year. We have our own Spring Concert which all of our groups feature and soloists at an earlier learning stage also perform to open the evening. In addition we have a school musical, last year Bugsy Malone and the previous year Little Shop of Horrors.
Well done Team Music!