A pilot project has been launched to encourage schoolchildren to learn the recorder.
The Big Recorder Project will provide recorders, books, resources and teacher development opportunities to schools across Greater Manchester and Blackburn with Darwen. The project will culminate in a gala concert at Chetham’s School of Music on 18 May 2025, featuring more than 300 recorder players.
Teachers will receive support and training from Paul Harris, a leading educationalist, composer and performer; he has teamed up with the ABRSM, Chetham’s School of Music and the Greater Manchester and Blackburn with Darwen Music Hub to deliver the project.
Despite the recorder being one of the most accessible instruments for learners, the ABRSM 2021 Making Music survey showed there had been a 47% decline in the number of recorder players.
Carolyn Baxendale MBE, Head of Bolton Music Service, the lead organisation for the Greater Manchester and Blackburn with Darwen Music Hub, said: ‘The idea started in conversation with Paul Harris earlier this year. We are very excited to be giving so many children and their teachers the chance to play a recorder well, to learn how to play in an ensemble and to embark on the pathway towards becoming a musician.’
Paul Harris said: ‘The recorder is small and easily portable, requires no setting up and is almost impossible to break! And of course, it requires very little to make a sound. It offers young musicians the opportunity to make music with others and to develop a variety of music and life skills.’
ABRSM Engagement Director Lincoln Abbotts commented: ‘Music should be a part of everyone’s education and while there are brilliant examples of music education happening in schools across the UK, for many children access to regular, high-quality, inspiring music education can be limited.
‘Recent research also suggests a decline in the number of young musicians learning the recorder at school, a great instrument in its own right, as well as a gateway to other instruments. We’re excited to support the Big Recorder Project and look forward to sharing the findings of the pilot with the music education community and key policy makers.’
