In Harmony « Bridgewater School

In Harmony is a national initiative that aims to inspire and transform the lives of children through community-based orchestral music-making. Established by Government and now funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education in conjunction with individual donors, trusts and foundations.

This immersive orchestral music making programme improves the life chances of children and young people in the West End of Newcastle, by increasing confidence, wellbeing, resilience and educational attainment.

By working in partnership, In Harmony helps build stronger communities, generating pride, hope and aspiration.

In Harmony at Bridgewater Primary School

Bridgewater has been part of the In Harmony Newcastle Gateshead programme since 2017, in partnership with The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. Inspired by Venezuela’s world-famous El Sistema, the programme gives every child the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and take part in regular ensemble playing all completely free of charge.

Learning and Progression

Music begins right from the start of school life. Children in Reception and Year 1 take part in musicianship sessions, learning the foundations of rhythm, singing, and listening. In Year 2, they receive their very first instrument — a recorder, violin, viola, or cello. By Year 3, pupils can also choose from flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, or double bass, and whichever instrument they select stays with them until they leave Year 6.

Each child has a weekly individual lesson with one of our expert In Harmony tutors, excellent musicians who have become part of the Bridgewater family. Alongside this, children rehearse in groups and larger ensembles, preparing them to join our Year 5 orchestra (Bridgewater Sinfonia) and Year 6 orchestra (Bridgewater Symphony Orchestra).

Performing and Partnerships

Performance is central to In Harmony. Bridgewater pupils share their music with classmates, families, and the wider community from intimate concerts in the school hall to large-scale events such as the WEST Festival, The Big Gig, and our much-loved winter and summer sharings.

Our partnership with Royal Northern Sinfonia (RNS) is a real highlight of the programme. RNS musicians regularly visit school to lead workshops and inspire our children, as well as welcoming us to concerts at The Glasshouse. In the 2024–25 school year alone, RNS visited Bridgewater six times, working side by side with our young musicians in instrumental and percussion workshops.

Bridgewater children also enjoy coming together with other In Harmony groups, especially our friends at Hawthorn Primary School. A highlight was the 10th Birthday Festival of In Harmony Newcastle Gateshead in 2022, which brought around 700 children together to perform across the West End of Newcastle, culminating in a spectacular finale concert at The Glasshouse.

Explore the In Harmony Curriculum

If you’d like to know more about what our children learn each year, you can explore the In Harmony Curriculum. It sets out how musical skills, creativity, and performance opportunities develop from Reception right through to Year 6. Take a look here:

In Harmony Musicianship Curriculum KS1 2026

In Harmony Strings Curriculum 2026

In Harmony Woodwind Curriculum HPS 2026

The Heart of In Harmony

Most of all, the real stars are the children. Watching them grow from picking up an instrument in Year 1 to becoming skilled young musicians by Year 6 is incredibly special. Their resilience, creativity, and joy in music-making inspire us every day.

In Harmony has transformed music at Bridgewater and continues to open doors, nurture confidence, and give our children unforgettable experiences.

👉 Find out more about In Harmony and other opportunities for young people at The Glasshouse: theglasshouseicm.org/make-music/young-people