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Revolutionary Music Education Project by ANS & NYnet Sees World-Renowned Musicians Provide Workshops
Tue 10th Nov 09 - 13:11
Leading technology infrastructure specialist, ANS Group, has partnered with North Yorkshire broadband initiative, NYnet to enable 150 pupils to take part in a series of musical workshops with a leading national orchestral academy via video conferencing.
In what will be the UK's first simultaneous video-linked musical workshop, two LifeSize high definition video conferencing units will allow schools in remote parts of North Yorkshire to take part in the exclusive sessions with Southbank Sinfonia via a high-definition video link.
The project was organised by NYnet to demonstrate the benefit of offering 21st Century next generation video conferencing in schools. Many businesses and local government offices in the region already benefit from Europe's largest public sector led broadband infrastructure initiative and it is hoped that after the ‘Next Generation Music' events, educational establishments will see the benefits that new technology can bring to the curriculum.
Paul Sweeney, managing director of ANS Group, commented:
"The use of high definition technology can open many doors for schools like these, providing pupils with access to first class facilities that would otherwise be unavailable. Solutions like video conferencing significantly improve connectivity between remote rural and urban schools and establish an ethos of shared resource that has been proven to raise the overall standard of education in the region.
"Being able to better connect rural schools, not only to the resource in their region but also to such a national centre of excellence is a major coup and a prime example of the role that modern technology should be playing in public sector facilities."
David Cullen, chief executive of NYnet, said:
"The unique high-speed NYnet network and ANS Group's video conferencing technology will open the ‘Next Generation Music' initiative up to the community and highlight the unique opportunities that can be offered to schools. This level of connectivity enables both unique experiences such as this and plays an ongoing role in day to day learning that can truly enhance the educational offering in the region."
In total, over 150 children from seven schools will participate in the initiative and the workshops will culminate in a final performance on the morning of Saturday 21 November at the National Railway Museum, which will showcase the musical talent of the region's rising stars.
The activity is part of a wider event celebrating the Parliament choir's upcoming 10 year anniversary with a grand performance of Handel's Messiah in York Minster on the evening of 21st November.