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What is In Harmony?

What is In Harmony?  

In Harmony aims to inspire and transform the lives of children and families in disadvantaged communities through the power of high-quality ensemble music-making, inside and out of school. For 15 years, In Harmony has worked with over 8,000 children and young people each year across more than 50 schools. 

As a place-based approach to supporting the musical lives of children and young people in under-served areas, In Harmony is helping us achieve our strategic vision, Let’s Create, of a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish. 

There are In Harmony programmes in Lambeth, Liverpool, Nottingham, Telford, Stoke-on-Trent, Leeds and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Each In Harmony programme is coordinated by a different organisation: 

In Harmony in action

In Harmony in action  

Watch our four short films about how In Harmony is helping children, their families, and their schools.  

Learning music together as a team

Progress and performance - a musical lifestyle

Life chances and schools transformed

A whole school partnership

How did we get here?

How did we get here? 

In Harmony was set up in 2008 by Arts Council England and the Department for Education (DfE). The programme was co-funded by the Arts Council and the DfE until July 2022, when the DfE stopped its funding for the programme. Arts Council England has continued to fund the programme ever since.  

An orchestra of young musicians wearing orange t-shirts perform on a stage.
Photo by Mark McNulty
1
In Harmony Liverpool 10th birthday celebrations

In Harmony evaluation and research

What’s the impact?  

In Harmony has evidenced impact on social, educational, and musical progression outcomes for children and young people facing barriers to participation, and for the communities in which they live.   

Arts Council England Music Education programmes

Photo © Clive Tagg Lewisham Music Massed Voices, Southbank Centre

Our Music Education programmes

Learn how we’re ensuring all children and young people can thrive through music.