WELCOME TO THINKING MUSIC

THINKING MUSIC (T.M.) exists to build sustainable music ecosystems to enrich the lives of children, especially in rural areas where access to musical opportunities is often limited. We connect primary and higher education institutions to work together through music, linking these vibrant communities to form a long-lasting relationship where the children, their teachers and the university student practitioners learn and grow together, contributing to wider long-term cultural enrichment of society.

The project emphasised that there is room for everyone in music

2nd Year University Student (RHUL)

I learnt that universities aren’t just classrooms

School Child (Wiltshire)

Stepping out of my student bubble has been eye opening. It has opened up my eyes to all the different career opportunities. It’s even helped me secure a job in a school as a music graduate next year.

1st Year Student

It enhances your teaching and leadership skills, it pushes your creativity and also your ability to work in a team. It challenged me to look at music differently.

4th Year Student

It has been a privilege for us, to be involved in opening up the world of music to young children & thinking about their (musical) futures. This gives us all hope, & the chance to get involved at the earliest stages of a child's musical life.

Sarah Hibberd Stanley Hugh Badock Chair of Music Bristol University

I am more confident and have more faith in myself. You guys inspire me to go to university!

Year 5 Child

I feel more confident in leading certain aspects of music such as composition

School Teacher

I know I can express my feeling through music

Year 4 Child

I love hearing an orchestra

Year 4 Child

This was the best school activity ever. I wish this day lasted 4-ever!

Year 4 Child

I have learnt transferable skills that are so valuable for post-degree options. I wouldn’t change a thing. This has been one of the best experiences of my life!

2nd Year Student

What We Do

For Schools

Thinking Music

To provide primary school children in rural settings with access to live music-making and performance.
To support and encourage teachers to engage with music as a learning tool to deliver the core curriculum creatively.
To create a lasting relationship with the arts through music within the school environment
To introduce school children to potential educational and career opportunities by introducing them to university students and the university environment.

The Thinking Music Teacher Handbook supports the teachers’ development through the programme.

For Universities

Thinking Music

To provide students with the opportunity to develop new vocational skills and increase their confidence and career aspirations.
To bring community music more prominently into academic programmes, illuminating to students the diverse nature of the music industry and demonstrating its wider benefits to society, through work experience.
To foster a lasting connection with (and investment in) community music and its value for those wishing to pursue careers in other industries.

The Thinking Music Student Handbook supports the students’ development through the programme.

Our Results: 2024-2025

School Children

100% enjoyed the T.M. Project

90% felt more confident in their music-making

88% post-project wanted to go to University (71.5% pre-project)

Pilot School:

2020 – 10% knew someone connected to university

2023 – 71% wanted to go to university

Teachers

100% enjoyed the project and wanted to do more

100% felt more confident in their own music-making

100% noticed improvement in their students’ topic recall

100% felt inspired to lead music making in their classroom

Students

100% enjoyed the T.M. project.

100% found the Autumn lecture series prepared them for working in schools.

100% worked with different people in the Uni to who they normally would

100% felt more confident in their leadership

Recent graduates have continued into:

Music therapy, Teacher Training, Performing, Arts Admin

Meet the Team

Alice Poppleton

Director & Project Leader (Bristol Uni/Bath Spa)

Victoria Kane

Administrator

Frances Leith

Consultant Producer

Tim Keasley

Project Leader (RHUL)

Alice Wright

Producer (RHUL)

Evie Jones

Producer (Bristol Uni/Bath Spa)

Lila Bhattacherjee

Project Manager (RHUL)

photo credit: Paul Blakemore

Sam Poppleton

Workshop Leader (RHUL)

Hamish Newport

Workshop Leader

Trustees

William Ingram Hill (Chair)

Sarah Hibberd (Vice Chair)

1st Year Student

It enhances your teaching and leadership skills, it pushes your creativity and also your ability to work in a team. It challenged me to look at music differently.

4th Year Student

Sarah Hibberd Stanley Hugh Badock Chair of Music Bristol University

I am more confident and have more faith in myself. You guys inspire me to go to university!

Year 5 Child

I feel more confident in leading certain aspects of music such as composition

School Teacher

I know I can express my feeling through music

Year 4 Child

I love hearing an orchestra

Year 4 Child

This was the best school activity ever. I wish this day lasted 4-ever!

Year 4 Child

I have learnt transferable skills that are so valuable for post-degree options. I wouldn’t change a thing. This has been one of the best experiences of my life!

2nd Year Student

Join Our Community

Our Community

We would love to connect with you. Please get in touch.

Support Us

If you would like to support our mission financially, please get in touch.

[email protected]

Charity Number: 1203554

Photo Credits: Camilla Adams