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MusicFirst – Creative Funding Approaches for Music Departments
Explore all the other ways you could raise funds so you can show you have thought it all through and have a range of ideas on how you might access additional funding on top of what they might offer you. In some circumstances you can add to a financial commitment from the school with money from elsewhere, sometimes matching pound for pound or a contribution in proportion to the school’s original sum. Knowing what may be possible could make a big difference in the initial school investment. Showing creativity and foresight will help your case whoever you are asking!
Pitching to your Senior Leadership Team or Line Managers: Before you apply for external funding, you need to get approval from your leadership team. It is vital that they all feel part of the process -- it is not for you or your department alone but rather a scheme that could have a positive impact on the whole school, carefully thought through and well considered. You might be tempted to share early ideas and although that is not a bad thing in itself, the more fully formed plan you present initially will help show your leaders that you know what you want to do and how to get there and perhaps underline your creativity and determination too. Here are some things to consider when presenting your ideas to your leadership team: 1. Set the scene -- underline the value of music in the school (concerts, extra-curricular activities, community, and charity events etc). Highlight examples of excellence from students or groups, situations where music has had a positive impact on student wellbeing and confidence. Illustrate improvements on student achievement over the years. Emphasise that Music is for all, not just for the gifted and talented, and that every student deserves the right to experience music -- and this is what your Music Department aims to achieve. You might be able to show that you have started already -“look at what I’ve been able to do and imagine how much more I could do!“ 2. Identify the ‘holes’ in your current provision and highlight the challenges with existing resources. Make a big emphasis on places where the lack of certain resources mean that you cannot fully deliver the statutory National Curriculum requirements for Music. Underline places where your lack of certain resources may be/is resulting in poor uptake for Level 2 courses (GCSE/Vocational) or Level 3 (AS/A Level/Vocational). Make sure you show
