The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is strongly committed to education and outreach work. In tandem with its dynamic performances and extensive tours which take the orchestra around the world, the Academy seeks to connect with its audiences and the communities it travels to. Our education and outreach projects encourage the development of new music through creative work, and provide opportunities for our musicians to engage and collaborate with members of the community. Our programme, Outward Sound, offers a wide range of projects open to participants of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, and our work brings music-making opportunities to those who otherwise may not have to access to music.

Promoting creativity, individuality and interpretation is central to Outward Sound s mission, and we achieve this through projects that encourage participants to explore their musicality whilst engaging with orchestral repertoire. Outward Sound provides music-making opportunities for all and its projects are delivered by professional workshop leaders and musicians. Whilst nurturing the artistic development of project participants, education and outreach work provides valuable and new creative experiences for our players also:

"As a classical musician, education work reminds you what music is all about i.e. communication, having fun, and putting a smile on people's faces."
Jeremy Morris, Academy Musician, Violin

The Academy performs education and outreach work both at home and abroad. Recent projects include the Creative Orchestra in Slough, mentoring the young conservatoire graduates at Southbank Sinfonia and Buzz, a project that explored the significance of bees for our well-being with children from inner-city schools in London. Other projects include a residence at the Firstsite Arts Centre in Colchester, a long-term composition and empowerment project with homeless men and women from the West London Day Centre, marking the handover of Hong Kong with performance workshops and training for local facilitators and providing opportunities for music-making for young people in Harlem.

Comments from projects:

" I want more children around the world to experience the musicians " Participant from the Buzz project for KS2 children.

"The confidence [the clients] have gained from participating in this project forms a strong foundation for increasing confidence in other
areas of their lives ".
John Deacon, Centre Manager for the West London Day Centre.

"After the activities I felt a real sense of achievement & I really enjoyed the improvising and rehearsing. I had never done improvising or rehearsing like this before. "
Participant from the Dartford Creative Orchestra project.

If you are interested in finding out more about Outward Sound projects, please contact Kim Perkins, Education & Outreach Manager/Creative Producer.

T: 020 7702 1377 E: kimperkins@asmf.org