Physically disabled children in Birmingham now have a greater opportunity to enjoy music through the expansion of a partnership between Services For Education, which delivers music education to Birmingham schools, and a pioneering charity that is championing the playing of musical instruments by those with a deficiency or impairment in one hand or arm.

Millions of people across the world are excluded from playing music with others because their physical deficiency makes it challenging for traditional instruments to be played to any reasonable standard.

Services For Education has worked with OHMI – the One-Handed Musical Instrument Trust – since 2015 as part of its Music Makers programme when it piloted a scheme that has since been rolled out to other parts of the UK.

Currently there are eight-funded OHMI school children in eight different Birmingham schools all receiving one-to-one 30-minute individual music lessons in woodwind, keyboard and trumpet/clarinet.

The aim of the expanded scheme is to transform the lives of Birmingham children by giving them the opportunity to learn an instrument and participate in music-making.

Our Inclusive Choir was the focus of our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge, where donations were worth double the amount thanks to kind supporters who had already pledged their support. It was SFE’s first time taking part, and the campaign ran for a week at the start of December.

Meeting monthly at The MAC, our Inclusive Choir welcomes children and young people under the age of 25 with a range of disabilities to take part in singing and music-making activities in a safe and inclusive environment. Supported by experienced staff, it’s a fantastic group with members and their carers benefiting from sessions. Some members also take part in the online West Midlands Inclusive Choir sessions too.

As one of our charitable projects, sessions are only possible through our continued fundraising efforts such as grants from trusts and foundations. Participating in The Big Give was not only a great way for us to raise much needed funds towards the project and we were delighted to raise just over £2,000 towards, as well as raise awareness of the choir and its impact, including an interview on BBC Radio WM.

For more information about the choir, to sign up to sessions and/or donate, please click here.

Back in May, over 1,100 guests joined more than 500 young performers to enjoy four Ensemble outdoor concerts as part of our The King’s Coronation Bandstand Project, which took place at Midlands Art Centre.

The project was made possible thanks to funding from Music for Youth and The Arts Council England and saw a number of Ensembles perform. Birmingham Schools’ Junior String Orchestra, Birmingham Schools’ Training Brass Band, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School and Birmingham Schools’ Wind Orchestra/Symphony Orchestra Combined Ensemble took to the stage, performing to smiling crowds.

It was great to be part of a nationally historic celebration and was a fantastic event showcasing our young musicians’ talent, professionalism, and commitment as well as pride from family members and SFE staff.

The great news is, after the success of this year’s event (and some remaining funding) we are excited to be returning to MAC in May 2024 for another Ensembles outdoor concert. We look forward to joining audience members and seeing what our Ensembles bring to the stage this time, so keep an eye on our social media in the Spring for more information.