THERE is something about music. Every culture has it. It doesn’t matter where you go, everyone tries to sing, says Peter Sheeran, the chief executive of the English Symphony Orchestra (ESO).

He loves music – as you would expect – but also argues that it has a value for children which goes beyond the enjoyment of singing or playing or listening to a particular song.

Through his role at the ESO, based in Deansway, Mr Sheeran meets many youngsters who he feels get more out of music than many imagine.

One example is the music courses arranged by ESO during the upcoming half-term where talented young players are invited to play alongside professional musicians with the sessions culminating in a mini concert.

The purpose of the junior courses is to teach young people to play music together as a band, but Mr Sheeran believes the youngsters often go home with other life skills.

He said: “Often it’s the first time they have played with groups of other kids – at anything.

“Sometimes we even have to teach them the rules of rounders.

“The idea is they learn to play as a band but even at the age of seven, eight or nine, it is all about taking responsibility to not let the others down and things like that.

“They have a ball. They do a little concert at the end for 10 minutes and it’s incredibly moving.”

Mr Sheeran believes engaging with music can help youngsters with teamwork, learning to focus, building confidence and being disciplined.

He said: “Learning to play and read music is a discipline.

“Learning to read music is not easy. It sharpens your mind and your brain.

“There are benefits of music for those with special needs like dyslexia too.

“Often it gives them something to excel at.”

One youngster who has found music helpful for developing life skills is Grace Shepherd, aged 10, from Worcester.

She plays the violin and has performed with the ESO youth orchestra and taken part in the courses on offer for the past three years.

Grace’s mum Rachel Shepherd said music had been a great benefit to her daughter. She said: “Learning music has helped Grace in every aspect of her life, from interpreting instructions, remaining focused and ultimately creating a polished performance.

“The courses really develop a child’s social skills, and give an extra dimension to their ability to learn at school and in life generally.

“Grace has even been able to help mentor the less advanced children on the courses, which has boosted her own confidence in her musical ability.”

Grace described the courses as being some of the best weekends of her life.

She said: “I love making new friends and playing with the professional musicians.”

However, the ESO’s educational programme is not limited to the half-term courses.

Its regular musicians also visit schools in the area – most recently at Bishop Perowne CE Performing Arts College and Malvern St James – to run music sessions.

Mr Sheeran said: “There’s something about musical instruments that captures children’s attention.

“If you go into primary schools with professional musicians and watch the reactions of the kids, they absolutely love it – it doesn’t matter whether or not it will inspire all of them to take up musical instruments.”

It’s not just about children either as the ESO’s programme also encompasses visits to places such as residential homes for older people.

Mr Sheeran said: “Music plays such an important part of people’s lives.

“We went to one care home and one woman had barely spoken for years, but when the music played she wheeled herself in and sat at the back and she was absolutely shining.

“It just triggers things with a twoyear- old and a 92-year-old.

“If you ask anyone if they regret learning to play a musical instrument you never get the answer yes.

“The vast majority of people love the experience because it’s so inspiring.”

CASE STUDY

ROSIE Ash is 15 and plays the flute at grade-eight level and is working towards grade seven for the saxophone.

She lives in St Peter’s, Worcester, and has been going to the ESO youth orchestra courses for five years.

Her mother Ann said: “Everything about playing and performing is a huge boost to Rosie – playing in a group like this lifts her confidence and she loves being part of a team.

“Rosie is dyslexic and dyspraxic, and music helps her enormously.

“She may not be able to read aloud in assembly or in public, but as part of the orchestra, she can get up on stage and perform to an audience and really shine.

“The repetition of learning music assists Rosie with her particular learning needs. Music is something she can excel at.

“She also plays in two other orchestras, but the ESO is special because she gets to perform with professional musicians and learn from them about performance techniques, about the different parts of the orchestra and different elements of music.”