In Harmony Liverpool
15 Years of Creating Better Futures from the Liverpool Philharmonic
In Harmony Liverpool was born as the dream of creating a healthier and more prosperous future for families with the greatest needs and fewest resources in North Liverpool. The project is led by the team of professional music leaders from the Liverpool Philharmonic, including musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, in collaboration with schools, local cultural centers, and higher education institutions such as the University of Liverpool. Participating children and families also actively participate in the development of the program. To date, the program has worked with more than 4,000 children and their families, and more than 300 professional musicians and teaching artists have collaborated with the project.
Documenting Impact and Success
Furthermore, it benefits from the good practice of having documented its results since its founding year , creating records and data through research that yields very hopeful results regarding the real impact of its activity on society.
Dr. Susanne Burns, along with various teams, conducted annual evaluations from its foundation until 2019. The study, "Reflections on 10 Years of Learning," is based on 10 years of longitudinal evaluation, and the demonstrated impacts include:
Improved Life Opportunities: Better life chances for children and youth, resulting in increased confidence, well-being, skills, and resilience.
Family Well-being: A positive impact on families and family life, developing social and cultural capital while generating pride.
Educational Environment: The study demonstrated that In Harmony Liverpool has positively impacted the culture and learning environment of participating schools.
Community Strength: Through long-term partnerships, it has helped build stronger communities, generating civic pride, hope, and aspiration.
Likewise, the program has made music a normal part of community and family life. Finally, as a consequence of all the above, In Harmony Liverpool has positively impacted the Liverpool Philharmonic, enhancing its civic role.
Fostering Resilience and Future Goals
To commemorate 15 years of In Harmony in 2024, the Liverpool Philharmonic teamed up with the University of Liverpool to publish a new study: “How does In Harmony Liverpool promote resilience among its families?” Led by Dr. Warren Donnellan, Dr. Laura Soulsby, Alice Oakey, Ciara Falvey, and Simon Worsley, the study found that In Harmony Liverpool promotes resilience in its children and families by fostering:
Intrinsic Resources: Fostering traits such as confidence, self-awareness, self-efficacy skills, the perceived capacity to face challenges, and musical practice as a creative outlet.
Extrinsic Resources: Fostering social factors and family relationships, while also finding support within the In Harmony community and the project team.
They are currently working on new research to document the outcomes of the program's alumni and the real impact on improving their life chances, measuring practical aspects such as employability, life skills, and cognitive decisions.
Zoë Armfield, the current Head of Learning at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, has worked with the children and youth since the project's inception. She feels proud to see them today as young adults pursuing their dreams, showcasing the tangible results of the program. She hopes to confirm that the program has successfully supported individuals who are happier in their lives, have had better opportunities, and are independent and resourceful.
As expressed in the words of one of its beneficiaries:
"Thanks to In Harmony, I believe in myself and that I can achieve anything."
The results of this latest research will be published next year.
