ENERGY
ENERGY is a national orchestral initiative inviting children and young people across England to explore climate science through music.
What we wanted to achieve
Sinfonia Viva and composer James Redwood developed the project idea, which—thanks to our partnerships—was adapted into three live events and a national digital stream supporting music and science learning for young people.
The project has brought together composition, performance, and science education, showing teachers how they can use music to support more creative pupil learning and engagement in academic subjects.
What we did
At its heart, ENERGY has been about co-authorship. Young participants weren’t just learning about climate change; they were composing original music that gave voice to their concerns, hopes, and ideas.
Exploring the story of energy through music, from the beginnings of fossil fuels to renewable energy, enabled young people and audiences to develop their understanding of the climate crisis.
Live creative projects were delivered in East Riding, Nottinghamshire and Suffolk across 22 schools and settings, with 758 young people taking part in 63 workshops, supported by musicians and science educators.
The project has been inclusive by design and therefore could be adapted for a range of settings; primary schools, secondary schools, and youth ensembles, ensuring that every participant could engage meaningfully.
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Delivered the message better than the news or media. Music is the world’s language.
~ Audience member, East Riding
ENERGY goes national
ENERGY was the centrepiece of our Classically Yours programme in East Riding in 2024. The large-scale schools concert at Bridlington Spa was filmed and streamed nationally, showcasing the power of East Riding’s young voices speaking on a key issue of our time.
The streamed performance with BSL inspired signing enabled seven Music Hub partners to build and extend their partnership offer with schools. 2 further live projects were delivered with Sinfonia Viva inspired by the film.
I cried...I am so proud of my friends!
~ Nottinghamshire project participant
Outcomes
15 original compositions were created with young people with three public performances reaching an audience of 502. The streamed performance engaged over 7500 viewers with high levels of school engagement with the cross-curricular classroom resource pack. 70% of the streaming audience were from rural local authorities, demonstrating the importance of digital cultural offers for rural schools.
The response to the project has been deeply affirming:
- 96% of participants reported a positive experience
- 92% participants and 100% audiences felt proud of their work
- 73% participants and 98% audiences noted improved mental wellbeing
- 95% of teachers felt more confident using music in cross-curricular learning
- 73% participants and 82% audience learnt about impact of fossil fuels
- 92% audiences, 57% participants now feel confident talking about renewable energy and changes we can make
Children who are otherwise shy have grown in confidence
~ Suffolk school teacher
Partners
ENERGY is a collaborative production by Sinfonia Viva and Orchestras Live with live projects co-produced with East Riding Arts & East Riding Schools Music Service, Inspire: Culture, Learning & Libraries, Norfolk & Suffolk Music Hub & First Light Festival.
The ENERGY stream was produced in partnership with AMP Music, East Riding Cultural Education Partnership, Cumbria Music Hub, Inspire: Culture, Learning & Libraries, Norfolk & Suffolk Music Hub, North Tyneside Music Hub, Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust.
ENERGY has been generously supported by: Arts Council England, Dogger Bank Windfarm, Hesslewood Children’s Trust, Joseph Boaz Charitable Trust, Three Monkies Trust.