Changing Lives Through Music

In April the Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST) celebrated its 10th anniversary with a spectacular, joyful concert at the Theatre Royal.

The Brewers’ Company supports the work of MiSST in Islington through the Dame Alice Owen Foundation and students from six Islington schools were among the young people who performed in the concert. A wonderful programme of classical music, performed by various orchestras, choirs and soloists, took the audience’s breath away and culminated in a colourful rendition of Any Dream Will Do from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jason Donovan.

Many Brewers’ Company Liverymen were in the audience to experience first-hand the work supported by the Company’s charity. It was thrilling to see the talent, confidence and poise of the young people performing. As MiSST CEO, Rachel Landon, said: “Our dream is not to simply create more musicians, nor is it to bolster the performing arts industry. We must do all we can to improve the life chances of every individual, whatever their background or starting point.”

MiSST alumnus, Derrone White, said: “MiSST has given me so many opportunities, which I am very grateful for. These opportunities have shaped me as a person and helped me to define my musical ambitions. I feel very confident at this point that I will achieve them. MiSST helps to break down stereotypical barriers that are still in place in classical music today. I am very proud to have been part of the MiSST programme because the programmes are showing how important diversity in classical music is. No young person should feel excluded from expressing themselves through music simply because of where they come from.”

Rachel Landon concluded: “Thank you to all who have supported us in our drive to improve life chances for young people. For this we need strong leadership, excellent teachers and of course, resources. We remain resolute in our determination to scale up the work we do so that we can reach more young people, more communities, and level the playing field. None of this would be possible without the Foundations, Trusts and Donors that support us, families, the school staff, the head teachers and governors, all of whom believe that music can make a lasting difference in the lives of young people.”