What we wanted to achieve

Long Shop Sound Machine was designed to inspire children, young people and families to engage with local heritage, composition, and orchestral music. The project aimed to develop a sense of pride in place and encourage more cultural involvement.

By working closely with professional musicians, the project supports children to raise their aspirations, build creative skills and self-esteem, and explore potential creative career paths. The project also offers school staff new ideas for enriching future teaching across history, music, art, and local heritage.

What we did

The project launched in October 2024 with a special Steam Up event at the Long Shop Museum in Leiston, once a key manufacturer of steam engines during the Industrial Revolution. Pupils from six local primary schools were introduced to City of London Sinfonia and experienced the sights and sounds of the museum’s historic engines, The Joker and Consuela, in full steam hissing, whirring and tooting!

Each class took part in a hands-on Experience Day at the museum, dressing up and engaging in practical activities, role play, and discussions. In Spring 2025, the Long Shop Museum’s education team visited each school to support pupils' knowledge and inspire their creative thinking.

This was followed by a mini concert tour from three City of London Sinfonia musicians, presented by music leader Aga Serugo Lugo. Each participating school enjoyed an interactive performance for the whole school community. In a series of four creative workshops, Aga and the instrumentalists supported each class to compose their own five-minute piece.

Alongside this, a tutor from Suffolk County Music Service led a digital music project at the local high school. Students created new soundtracks using recordings of the museum’s steam engines captured during the Steam Up.

Outcomes

• An increased awareness and celebration of local heritage by children and families, and a development of pride of place.
• Music exploration, composition and performance skills developed in children who are invested in the creative process, building the sense of ‘I can’ and enabling a boost in their self-esteem.
• Children’s aspirations raised as they engage with a world-class orchestra.
• Enhanced school curriculum delivery for history, music, and art.
• School staff have fresh inspiration for delivering music and engaging with local heritage.
• Families in this rural area who do not usually access orchestral music, performances or the local music venue were able to do so.
• Long Shop Museum is exploring the possibility of working with other arts organisations in their vicinity to extend their range of work locally.

Future plans

In May 2025, 150 primary school pupils will perform their compositions at the Britten Pears Studio Theatre at Snape Maltings. Their new works will be orchestrated for eight City of London Sinfonia players and presented as part of a wider musical programme, accompanied by themed artwork created by the children.

From June to October 2025, the Long Shop Museum will host a free exhibition and sound installation showcasing images and recordings from the project. Families will be encouraged to visit and celebrate the children's creativity and discoveries.

As a legacy for the project, Suffolk County Music Services will offer digital music production units of work to the six primary schools, incorporating the recorded steam engine sounds. This will be offered more widely to schools in the area.

In conversation with Association of Suffolk Museums, we're also keen to develop further heritage-inspired, place-based music projects.

Partners, performers and venues

Long Shop Sound Machine is produced by Orchestras Live in partnership with Long Shop Museum, Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub, Britten Pears Arts and City of London Sinfonia and is funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council England.