OHMI extends Music-Makers Whole Class programme to three new regions

The OHMI Trust is expanding its Music-Makers Whole Class programme to Central Bedfordshire, Southampton and Liverpool as a result of Arts Council England National Lottery funding.

Already available in Birmingham, Nottingham and Northamptonshire, the programme aims to offer parity of access to whole-class music tuition for children with physical impairments.

The programme begins by identifying the needs of a child as part of an analysis process. An appropriate instrument or equipment is then chosen to match as closely as possible the instrument being taught to the rest of the class.

Hubs and teachers are then offered support to include pupils with physical impairments in whole-class teaching, alongside their peers.

Rachel Wolffsohn, General Manager at The OHMI Trust, said: ‘The OHMI Music-Makers programme is well established, but a lack of funding presents a barrier to wider rollout.

‘We’re delighted that Arts Council England recognises the value of the service and will enable us to deliver our support to disabled young music-makers through Resonate [Liverpool’s music education hub], Southampton Music Hub, and Inspiring Music [the hub for Central Bedfordshire].’

Alongside the Whole Class programme, OHMI Music-Makers provides an Individual programme offering subsided weekly, 30-minute lessons and tailored teacher support, provided in partnership with hubs or independent providers.

ohmi.org.uk/ohmi-music-makers.html