A primary school in the Easterhouse district of Glasgow has shared in the Ivors Classical Award for Best Community and Participation Composition for its project An Easterhouse Children’s Manifesto ('A Children’s Guide to Anarchy’).
At the Ivors Classical Awards ceremony on 12 November, ABRSM's executive director, Lincoln Abbots, presented the award to composer Brian Irvine alongside Natalie Dobbs and John Harris from Red Note Ensemble.
The work was developed by composer Brian Irvine, librettist John McIlduff and the Scotland-based contemporary music group Red Note Ensemble. It aims to allow young people’s anarchy to direct grown-ups on ways to uncover the best of what we as humans can be.
The project emerged from Red Note’s 5 Places Programme, targeting central Scotland communities with limited access to cultural initiatives. Across 2022, the children of Oakwood Primary in Easterhouse collaborated to create a series of seven animated musical posters exploring themes of kindness, autonomy, and human connection from their unique perspective.
The Ivors judges recognised the work as being ‘a truly immersive experience for the young participants … the authentic voices of the children shone throughout, both in the creation and the performance, making their contributions feel genuine and integral.’
The award and recent installation of An Easterhouse Children’s Manifesto at Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts as part of the Nordic Music Days Festival were dedicated to the memory of Dominic Rossa, a young Oakwood pupil who played a vital role in the project.
Head teacher Vanessa Thomson of Oakwood Primary expressed the impact of the award: ‘Being awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award is such an honour. The screams of excitement could be heard from Glasgow to London! This project has given our children a platform to share their voices, their creativity, and their dreams for a better world. For our community, often overlooked, this recognition is a massive boost to the children’s self-esteem and belief in the power of their words.’
John Harris, CEO and artistic director of Red Note Ensemble, emphasised the collective achievement: ‘This project isn’t just a win for Brian Irvine but for the entire Easterhouse community. The children’s voices, their wisdom, and their boundless creativity have created something profoundly beautiful. We’re honoured to bring their perspective to the world stage.’
A short clip of the work can be seen here.
