MiSST Summer Roundup

We are pleased to be able to share an update on the work of the Music in Secondary Schools Trust this year.

MiSST Play Days

MiSST orchestrated three engaging Play Days across different locations, fostering musical collaboration and talent growth. The MiSST Play Days provide opportunities for students in the early stages of the programme (mainly year 7 and 8) to gain ensemble experience and work alongside those from at least one other MiSST school for a day. All of the days are built around social interaction between students, schools and national regions. This culminated in a tutti rehearsal and an impressive final performance.

RPS Awards 2024

This year, the MiSST team were shortlisted for the Royal Philharmonic Society's Impact Award. This will be the first time MiSST has been nominated and the team are extremely proud that their hard work is being recognised.

MiSST Together Days

This year MiSST had 9 Together Days, to provide over 900 students across the country with the experience of playing in a massive orchestra with their peers and students from other places in the country. These events provide invaluable preparation for the students ahead of the annual concert, featuring a diverse repertoire by notable composers like Dua Lipa, Tito Puente, and Carol Brittin-Chambers. Across the days, 23 Partner Schools participated, with student leaders, school staff, and the MiSST team conducting sectionals.

MiSST 11th Annual Concert

MiSST’s annual concert was held at the famous Roundhouse in Chalk Farm, Camden, on 22 April. It was an amazing inspiring event with performances of One Day More from Les Misérables by their massed choir and Oye Coma Va by Tito Puentes, performed by over 270 students as part of the MiSST Together Orchestra.

The MiSST Annual Conference

In June 2024 MiSST held its annual teacher conference, this year with a central focus on singing and composition. This theme was chosen in response to the Department for Education's (DfE) music subject report, "Striking the Right Note," which highlighted concerns regarding the teaching of these crucial areas in schools.

This enriching day underscored MiSST's commitment to enhancing music education and addressing the challenges highlighted in the DfE's report. Attendees once again expressed their satisfaction at being together with fellow music teachers to share ideas and experiences, and were particularly grateful for the specific focus on improvisation and composition in a way that allowed direct and immediate translation into the classroom.

Gresham's Residential

The year wrapped up with the MiSST Residential; two 3 day long intensive music courses with activities for the MiSST Music Academy and MiSST Partner Schools, held at Gresham's School in Norfolk. In total, the MiSST team worked with 230+ students across 22 schools over the week.

Each student participated in a number of sectionals and full ensemble rehearsals. During the MiSST Music Academy residential, students presented several chamber group performances at the final concert.

The MiSST Music Academy residential is highly valued by the programme’s stronger musicians because it gives them a place to be, for an extended period, with like-minded peers. The schools’ residential is particularly impactful because almost all students selected by schools are eligible for pupil premium funding. The bonds that develop provide positive and supportive friendship opportunities.

The Brewers’ Company is pleased to support MiSST through the Dame Alice Owen Foundation.