Arts in schools

Instrumental Music Lessons

If you’re looking for information on instrumental music lessons, see our Instrumental Music Service pages.

Youth Music Initiative in East Lothian

Visit our free online resources and activities page

East Lothian Council’s Arts Service is proud to present East Lothian’s Youth Music Initiative (YMI). A dedicated Arts Service team manages the YMI in East Lothian, with funding provided by Creative Scotland.

At a national level, Creative Scotland administers the Scottish Government’s YMI programme which intends to:

create access to high quality music making opportunities for young people aged 0 – 25 yrs, particularly for those that would not normally have the chance to participate
enable young people to achieve their potential in or through music making
support the development of the youth music sector for the benefit of young people

Here in East Lothian we work with professional artists / musicians (both local and international) as well as music partnerships, to provide a diverse programme of high quality musical experiences. The fund promotes equal opportunity of access for all pupils to participate in high quality music making as well as focusing on target groups. The programme includes a diverse range of musical styles offering children and young people unique musical experiences. Through the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) funding in East Lothian we are able to offer all these projects at no cost to schools, children or parents.

Current Projects

Early Years and Infants:

Juniors:

Referred pupils:

For more information about YMI East Lothian email: ymi@eastlothian.gov.uk

Visit the Youth Music Initiative blog and website

Curricular Arts

East Lothian Council’s Arts Service’s aim, in line with Scottish Government policy, is to provide teachers with opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and to enable schools to develop partnerships with professional arts companies, tutors and organisations.

Curriculum for Excellence, p55 states:

“By engaging in experiences within the expressive arts, children and young people will recognise and represent feelings and emotions, both their own and those of others. The expressive arts play a central role in shaping our sense of personal, social and cultural identity. Learning in the expressive arts also plays an important role in supporting children and young people to recognise and value the variety and vitality of culture locally, nationally and globally.

Learning in, through and about the expressive arts enables children and young people to:

be creative and express themselves in different ways
experience enjoyment and contribute to other people’s enjoyment through creative and expressive performance and presentation
develop important skills, both those specific to the expressive arts and those which are transferable
develop an appreciation of aesthetic and cultural values, identities and ideas and, for some,
prepare for advanced learning and future careers by building foundations for excellence in the expressive arts."

The Arts Service believes that the expressive arts are inspiring and have the capacity to engage and fascinate learners of all ages. We have an exciting variety of workshops that are taught by excellent experienced tutors who are renowned artists in their fields. These workshops can be delivered to all stages in line with the expressive arts framework as set out in the Curriculum for Excellence.

To find out more contact artsservice@eastlothian.gov.uk.

To book tickets for performances at The Brunton call the Box Office on 0131 653 5245 or email boxoffice@eastlothian.gov.uk.

To book a Cross Curricular Drama project email dramaeducation@eastlothian.gov.uk.