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Spitalfields Music

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Spitalfields Music is a music charity based in the Spitalfields area of the Tower Hamlets borough of London. In 2008 they changed their name from Spitalfields Festival to Spitalfields Music due to their ever growing learning and participation programmes in the community.

They hold two music festivals a year, a Summer Festival in June and a Winter Festival in December. The music played is primarily classical music, however in addition to this much of the music reflects the local ethnic groups such as the Jewish and Bengali communities. They also have a year round learning and participation programme for the Tower Hamlets community.

Spitalfields Music's registered charity number is 1052043

History

  • 1976 - Spitalfields Festival was created when a single event, organised by Save Britain's Heritage, was held at Christ Church in Spitalfields in the summer.[1]
  • 1977 - In the summer the first official festival occured. It was run by Friends of Christ Church, which had been formed the previous year after the single event had been held.[2]
  • 1989 - The Festival Council was formed and more importantly so was the Education and Community Programme.[3]
  • 1996 - The decision was taken to expand the festival to incorporate a Winter Festival.[4]
  • 2005 - Winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award for Education fom Spitalfields Festival commission of Jonathan Dove's community cantata On Spital Fields[5].
  • 2006 - Winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award for Concert Series or Festival.[6]

Learning and Participation Programme

Since the founding of the education programme in 1989 the work that Spitalfields Music does with the community of Tower Hamlets and grown considerably. It was the first arts festival education programme and is now the most wide reaching and consistent programme of learning and participation run by a UK festival. In 2008 the programme involved 15,000 participants and comprised over 200 workshops and over 70 showings or performances. These took place in schools, hospitals, arts and community centres and in the streets of the borough. Around 70% of the community work undertaken by the organisation is within schools and other formal education fields. The remaining 30% is work in the broader community.

The programme works closely with a number of special education needs schools in the borough including Cherry Trees, Phoenix School and Aspirations (based in Tower Hamlets college) to bring music to those who wish to pursue it as a career.

Women sing East

Part of the Learning and Participation Programme is Spitalfields' very own all female choir, Women sing East. The choir is led by Jazz singer Laka D. The courses operate on a termly basis when they meet weekly. At the end of every term they hold a public performance including jazz, soul and popular songs.[7]

Music Animateur Apprentice Scheme (MAAS)

The Music Animateur Apprentice Scheme was created by Spitalfields Music for musicians and composers who are keen to develop their skills in workshop leading through practical and theoretical experience. Each apprentice will operate alongside professional animateurs on projects throughout the year. The musicians are mentored by a team of experienced composers and animateurs who include Julian West, John Barber, Sam Glazer and Laka D.

Spitalfields Music also offers the MAAS's the opportunity to work towards and accreditation of a PG Certificate in Community Music from Roehampton University.

Funding

Spitalfields Music is a charity and relies on grants, sponsorships, in kind help and donations to help run the two annual festivals and the Learning and Participation Programme. They recieve financial support from trusts, foundations, corporate giving, public funding and individual giving. They also earn a small percentage of their income from ticket sales from their two annual festivals.

Their registered charity number is 1052043.

References

  1. ^ http://www.spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk/index.php?pid=54
  2. ^ http://www.spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk/index.php?pid=54
  3. ^ http://www.spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk/index.php?pid=54
  4. ^ http://www.spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk/index.php?pid=54
  5. ^ http://www.rpsmusicawards.com/l?page=2006/winners/categories/education.html
  6. ^ http://www.rpsmusicawards.com/2007/winners/categories/index.html?page=2007/winners/categories/concertseries.html
  7. ^ http://www.spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk/index.php?pfid=5&cid=18&eid=105
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