Thinking Music brings together the vibrant pre-existing communities of a university and a school to form a new relationship where all parties learn and grow together. Music has always given us insight into communities. We celebrate its unique ability to communicate where language fails. Music has the power to boost our wellbeing, help us to overcome distance, depersonalisation and disconnectedness. In a time where communities need to shape-shift and rebuild, music can help us rediscover our communal identity. Our current ecosystem involves Wiltshire-based primary schools and The University of Bristol.

Alice co-founded Thinking Music in 2020 having been motivated by frustration at the disparity between rural and urban provision for the arts. Equally dedicated to performing and creative music-making, Alice enjoys a diverse freelance career as a historical violinist/viola player and workshop leader. After three wonderful years at Bristol University, Alice completed post-graduate studies with distinction as Scholar at both RWCMD and RAM. At RAM, discovering a love for Creative Learning and Participation, she became an Open Academy Fellow. From traditional concert settings (performing with groups such as The Gabrieli Consort and Players, The Hanover Band and Music For Awhile), to inclusive concerts at the Wigmore Hall, narrating children’s concerts and presenting on Radio 3 for The OAE, to writing lullabies for ENO, Alice loves the rich tapestry of creative projects in her working life.

Creative learning and participatory music-making are pivotal parts of Frances’ freelance career as a horn player and a project manager. Following undergraduate studies at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, Frances attended the Royal Academy of Music for her Master’s degree and fellowship with Open Academy. Since then, while enjoying a varied playing portfolio (regular dep on the West End and member of the Blues & Roots Ensemble and Buck Brass), Frances has become an experienced producer of music education projects for multiple organisations. Alongside her role at Thinking Music, she is the Learning & Development Producer at the London Music Theatre Orchestra, and producer and horn player for the music education group, Hold the Drama, which she co-founded in 2018. The disparity of opportunities on offer to rural schools and those in major cities has been a common thread in her work and she is thrilled to be part of Thinking Music’s ambition to close that gap.