Through All About Roots, the Philharmonia Orchestra aims to actively support and enhance music provision in four Lambeth schools, thereby giving these schools the tools to ensure the legacy of learning and participation through music is felt long after the completion of the project. Its aim is to reach as many children and teachers across the whole school as possible, and the project consists of four different strands:

What’s This?, Year 1 pupils
An introduction to orchestral instruments for very young children, via ‘show and tell’ sessions in school with Philharmonia musicians guided by animateur Luke Crookes.

Stepping Stones, Year 2 pupils
Composer and animateur John Webb’s sessions with Year 2 children aim to develop teachers’ skills and confidence to use music via a year-long classroom-based professional development programme, with a culminating performance on the Clore Ballroom at the Royal Festival Hall.

What’s This?, Year 3 pupils
A series of three workshops over consecutive weeks allow pupils, under the guidance of Luke Crookes and Philharmonia musicians, to devise new pieces of music that was performed to the rest of the school in an assembly presentation.

Music + (Cross-Arts Project), Year 4 pupils
Year 4 children are taken on a creative exploration of two art forms combined to create the final element of All About Roots. The children work with a music practitioner as well as an expert in a field other than music, to discover new art forms and connections with music and everyday life.

Beyond the Podium (Rehearsal Visits), Year 5 and 6 pupils
Year 5 and 6 pupils are given the opportunity to learn about how the orchestra works, and explore repertoire, with the chance to hear the Philharmonia Orchestra in rehearsal at the Royal Festival Hall and meet players and their instruments.