Activity
Music Champions
At The Spark we believe that everyone is musical and at a key time in their development, we want children to have access to high quality, musical, playful encounters.
Working in partnership with Leicestershire Music Hub and Leicester City Council Early Help team, this project supports early years practitioners and musicians to work in schools, children’s centres and nurseries to explore and play with sound and music.
This project so far
This two-year project championed early years music for children aged 0-5 by developing the workforce in depth (supporting 21 early years practitioners and professional musicians) and breadth (supporting training, peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange). This project has been made possible with funding from Youth Music, Children in Need, Leicester City Council Early Help and Leicestershire Music Hub.
Space and support for creative exploration
The project supported five partnerships each year (five musicians working with five early years practitioners), supporting them to develop their knowledge and understanding of early childhood music making through a programme of training, mentoring and experimentation. The project allows time for each partnership to explore and play with sound and music, working with children and families each week over a period of up to 15 weeks. We worked with the following settings and artists:
Year 1: 2023-24
- Maisy Neale and Little Peepul Nursery
- Richard Stone and New Parks Children Young People and Family Centre
- Beth Hartshorne and Beaumont Leys Children Young People and Family Centre
- Robin Grace and Mowmacre Hill Primary School
- Simon Lubkowski and Thringstone Primary School
Year 2: 2024-25
- Chris Sylla and Belgrave Children Young People and Family Centre
- Tatenda Chitsamba and Eyres Monsell Children Young People and Family Centre
- Corey Mwamba and Allexton Day Nursery
- Phil Pearson and St Barnabas C of E Primary School
- Anna Wolloff and Millfield LEAD Academy
Watch the video
Music Champions artists
Music Champions resources
Explore resources developed as part of the Music Champions programme.
Music Champions case studies
We’ve published some news articles bringing to life the impact that Music Champions has had, in the words of the artists we worked with. Explore them below.
‘Our impact’ quotes
Listen to the impact Music Champions has had, in the words of the people we worked we. Listen to artists and industry professionals share what they witnessed introducing early years children to the power of music.
The difference we made
2023-25 Impact Report
Discover more about the difference we made during the most recent Music Champions programme. Download the Impact Report for more details
Previous Music Champions reports
Early Years Music Champions also took place between 2020-2022, run by Leicestershire Early Years Music Network led by The Spark Arts for Children. The goal was to promote the role music plays in the communication and language development of children aged 0-4 years, providing training and network opportunities for musicians and early years practitioners. Membership of the network was available to anyone with an interest in developing their practice and championing music in Early Years, including practitioners, musicians and venues. Take a look at previous impact reports here.
Music Champions partners
