Pupils at a Leeds school are ready to hit the high notes thanks to an innovative link-up with arts company Opera North.
Windmill Primary School in Belle Isle has taken delivery of an impressive collection of new musical instruments following the launch of a project called In Harmony Leeds.
Led by Leeds-based Opera North, the project will give all 330 pupils at the school the chance to participate in “transformational” music activities.
And the arrival of 160 violins, 70 violas, 70 cellos and 35 double basses means every child aged between six and 11 will get their own instrument to learn and play during those activities.
Windmill Primary head Sally Sumpner said: “They came back in yesterday after half-term and found the instruments waiting for them.
“The children were, of course, incredibly excited – it was a fantastic reaction.”
Opera North’s work on In Harmony Leeds – one of only six projects of its type in the country – is being funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education.
Windmill Primary was chosen as the scheme’s main beneficiary after extensive consultation with local education chiefs.
More than 90 per cent of its pupils come from families classed as “hard-pressed”.
Opera North’s director of education, Rebecca Walsh, said a showcase performance by the children was already being planned for Easter.
For more details on the scheme, visit: www.operanorth.co.uk
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