In harmony: all aboard the Tuba Train

All the children at Judy Cowgill’s school have learned to play an orchestral instrument under a scheme called In Harmony. Ninety children performed at a concert whose final piece was Tuba Train, composed by Stephen Deazley, for BBC Outreach and Corporate Responsibility.

‘Every day I can see how their confidence is growing and they are beginning to believe in themselves and understand that they can do anything they set their minds to’

It was in 2014 that we first heard that the BBC Outreach and Corporate Responsibility Team were interested in commissioning a piece of music for our children to play. I’d heard of the department and knew that creativity and learning were two of their essential principles so this sounded like a wonderful idea.

Little did I know how this would develop.

For the last four years children at our school have been learning to play instruments, inspired by El Sistema of Venezuela. Here in England, In Harmony is a national programme for social change, using the learning of musical skills and performance as a way of raising self-esteem for the children and their families, and giving them new aspirations for the future.

For two years the children have met with the composer of Tuba Train, Stephen Deazley, on many occasions; he has run workshops for them in composing, percussion, they have sung and played their instruments, and for the very first time been involved in composing their own music.

As a champion for music and music education for children and young people Stephen was the perfect choice. He inspired the children to stretch their imaginations and motivated them to reach new heights in their playing.

The name of the piece Tuba Train came after a group of children had been to London to meet up with other In Harmony projects from around the country. After travelling on the Underground to the venue a child asked if they were going back on the “Tuba Train”. An accidental but delightful play on words that stuck with everyone.

After some performances of various movements of the piece – including and most fittingly at Newcastle Central Station to entertain train travellers –we finally got the go ahead to perform the whole piece – and not alone. The Royal Northern Sinfonia agreed to perform the whole of Tuba Train with the children.

When the day came, the stage at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House was packed with musicians aged seven years upwards! The stalls were packed with parents, supporters and fans, some of whom had travelled across the country to see this amazing performance.

We listened in awe as the Royal Northern Sinfonia played to us, then the orchestras swopped over and we heard two great pieces from Hawthorn Primary Symphony Orchestra – including the Muppets theme which went down a storm with the audience.

The main event – Tuba Train - starts with voice-overs that the children recorded when they interviewed people at the train station. Each movement is different and demands different musical skills. The children were totally focussed throughout, their faces full of concentration and looking like the real and wonderful musicians they are.

I wept unashamedly at the back as I saw these children, who come from very challenging backgrounds, holding their own with the professional orchestra – you couldn't tell them apart. The audience were enraptured throughout, and there was standing ovation at the end. I can’t begin to express my gratitude to the BBC Outreach team for making all this happen. Our children have had an experience they will never forget; every day I can see how their confidence is growing and they are beginning to believe in themselves and understand that they can do anything they set their minds to.

BBC Outreach & Corporate Responsibility brings the BBC closer to its audiences - particularly those audiences we have identified as harder to reach - with face-to-face activity, community support and staff volunteering.