National icon, international reach

The Royal Albert Hall is using new platforms to reach wider audiences with its innovative education programme. One particularly ground-breaking project is the forthcoming science lesson taking place next month, when the Hall will work with TV presenters Dallas Campbell and Dr Yan Wong to broadcast a live science lesson via Facebook from the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room, streamed straight to classrooms across the world.

Adhering to Facebook’s age restrictions, children aged 14 and over have been targeted, with the lesson designed for those studying at Key Stage 4 and preparing for GCSEs. The lesson will investigate the science of sound, looking specifically at the shape, power and speed of sound, and providing new content for science lessons. There will also be the opportunity afterwards for an interactive discussion between pupils and the two presenters.

Using Facebook as the platform, the live broadcast demonstrates the modern day extension of Prince Albert’s original vision for the Hall – to promote the understanding and appreciation of the Arts and Sciences. The lesson will expand the reach of the Hall far beyond the capital, giving pupils across the world – many of whom will never have visited the Hall before – the opportunity to experience the iconic venue. Having recently been appointed by Arts Council England as one of the country’s regional music hubs to shape music education in its surrounding boroughs, the Hall is committed to educating and sharing the arts and sciences with future generations. The science lesson is just one initiative of the Royal Albert Hall’s expanding education programme, which already reaches over 100,000 children each year.

This year will see partnerships with some of its leading performers who will hold exclusive workshops for London school children. Emily Sandé will be working with children from the London borough of Hackney to offer a song-writing workshop, a month prior to her own performance on the main stage; saxophone sensation YoLanda Brown will be hosting a workshop with children from every London borough in the lead up to her Elgar Room concert on 17 November; and the award-wining guitarist Miloš Karadaglić who is performing on 25 September as part of the Hall’s Albert Sessions will also support the education department with a music workshop to develop understanding of the classical guitar.

Extending beyond arts and sciences, the Hall is also revamping its offer for schools in London by launching a hands-on tour and workshop designed as a history lesson. The Victorian Experience will offer pupils a chance to step back in time, bringing to life the venue’s rich history and birth in the Victorian age.

Continuing to work closely with its partners such as Music for Youth, the Hall also offers the Primary and Schools Proms where inspirational concerts performed by, and held for young people, give children the opportunity to experience live, classical music in this unique setting. The Dance Proms on 4 November 4 will also offer 26 young dance acts from around the UK the opportunity to perform on the world’s most famous stage whilst also celebrating the dedication of the nation’s dance teachers.

With these new initiatives, the Hall is pushing boundaries to stay ahead of the curve in arts education. It is not just an iconic venue for world-famous performers, but also a charity which supports the cultural life of the country.