The personal and musical effects of the Open School Orchestra project at Pencalencik School

A video showing the personal and musical impact of the Open School Orchestra (OSO) project at Pencalenick Special School. Alongside music from the students, an interview with headteacher, Helen Campbell, shows how a group of students with special needs and autism with significant communication issues came together and found their voices through music, both individually and collectively. This film charts their journey over the 9-month project, and shows some of the music they produced.

You can see the short film here:

Open School Orchestras - the impact at Pencalenick

Helen has been so supportive of this project from the start, which has made a real difference to the effect it has had on the individual orchestra students, the culture of the school, and the public perception of what young people with SEN/D can achieve. This film shows the start of an ongoing process. Cornwall Music Education Hub have agreed to fund the continuation of this year's two school projects (as well as starting two new OSOs). Cornwall Music Service Trust are looking at ways to expand this work, and develop progression routes for the young musicians who show a real interest and talent for music.

This project is run by Cornwall Music Service Trust, with funding from Cornwall Music Education Hub, and Youth Music. You can find out more about Open School Orchestras at: http://openupmusic.org/oso/