Positive effects for those involved in Liverpool’s In Harmony

Liverpool’s In Harmony music scheme for young people, modelled on Venezuela’s famous ‘El Sistema’, has improved its participants’ school results and attendance as well as increased their sense of pride in their community, an independent evaluation report has shown. As one of the earliest adopters of the system, it is now in its fourth year and works with 188 children up to the age of 14. Evaluation team member Dr Susanne Burns commented: “There is strong evidence that the programme is exceeding its expected outcomes and there is compelling evidence that it provides an enriching musical education and improved academic attainment in other core curriculum areas.”