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Together Through Music Live
Together Through Music Live has transformed inclusive music education in Lincolnshire. It has inspired young people to joyfully express themselves through performance and composition, often for the first time, while empowering school staff and tutors with the skills and confidence to deliver truly inclusive sessions.
“This project has built real legacy in Lincolnshire. We now have a team of tutors who feel part of a specialist team and that they’re proud to belong.” Andrew Hird, Lincolnshire Music Service Inclusion Lead
Project Overview
Together Through Music Live was a bold and inspiring initiative led by Lincolnshire Music Service in partnership with Sinfonia Viva and Orchestras Live. Designed to ensure that disabled and neurodiverse children and young people across Lincolnshire could access high-quality, inclusive music education, the programme was delivered in two distinct but connected phases, each contributing to a powerful, long-term vision for inclusion, creativity, and musical equity.
School-Based Creative Projects
he first phase of Together Through Music Live centred on hands-on, in-school delivery, where tailored music-making projects gave students the chance to explore their creativity, build confidence, and form meaningful connections through music. At its core, the project aimed to inspire more disabled and neurodiverse children and young people to learn a musical instrument and take part in inclusive ensemble music-making.
Developed in response to Lincolnshire County Council’s Building Communities of Specialist Support Together strategy, this phase supported schools as they transitioned to new approaches for educating learners with additional needs.
Working closely with Eresby School and Tulip Academy, the programme brought together a rich team of collaborators:
- Professional musicians from Sinfonia Viva
- Music leaders from Lincolnshire Music Service
- Dedicated school staff and specialist educators
- And, most importantly, students with a diverse range of learning needs
Through co-created workshops, inclusive ensemble sessions, introductory instrument experiences, and live performances, pupils were given the space to express themselves, grow in confidence, and take pride in their musical identity.
Building Legacy and Workforce Capacity
The second phase of the project focused on building capacity, promoting sustainability, and embedding inclusive practice across Lincolnshire through workforce development and wider school engagement.
A key aim was to establish a confident and connected team of over Lincolnshire Music Service tutors. Through a year-long programme of support, including a CPD session led by Sinfonia Viva lead Raph Clarkson, tutors explored inclusive approaches in a collaborative, peer-led setting.
Throughout the spring and summer terms, tutors delivered inclusive music projects in schools, supported by Inclusion Leads which provided opportunities for instrumental learning, ensemble work, and creative expression, culminating in a joyful, festival-style celebration event.
This phase of Together Through Music Live has helped embed inclusive music-making into school life while equipping educators with the tools and confidence to continue the work long after the project’s close.
Project Impact
“This work is having a big impact and will continue to do so for several years—with great resources and a strong model for delivery.”
— Andrew Hird
Together Through Music Live has transformed inclusive music education in Lincolnshire. It has inspired young people to joyfully express themselves through performance and composition, often for the first time, while empowering school staff and tutors with the skills and confidence to deliver truly inclusive sessions. By building strong partnerships between schools, music services, and national arts organisations, the project has established sustainable models for early instrumental learning and ensemble development, creating lasting momentum for future creative initiatives across the county.
We are deeply grateful to all the schools, staff, musicians, students, and project partners who made Together Through Music Live such a success. Together, we’ve laid the foundation for a more inclusive, creative, and empowering music education landscape in Lincolnshire, one where every child has the opportunity to participate, perform, and thrive.