Symposium & Leading Debate and Change

The HarrisonParrott Foundation has embraced its role as a facilitator of networks, relationships and conversations by creating an annual symposium. The symposium brings together music educators and the music industry to address critical questions such as how to access to quality music education and career opportunities, and how to create better synergies across the music sector to enable closer relationships between all facets of the music sector.

We aim to lead the debate and change on pertinent issues in the music and education sector and beyond, including race, gender, access, and political, curriculum issues, such as the New National Plan for Music Education and Music Hub Investment Programme.

“There is clearly interest from organisations in both music, education and industry — the biggest challenge will be how to take forward aspirations and turn them into impactful activities.”

The inaugural HarrisonParrott Foundation symposium took place in November 2022 focussing on ‘Music Industry meets Music Education: A response to the New National Plan for Music Education’.

Our second ‘chapter’, in partnership with St George’s in Bristol, took place at the state-of-the-art Glass Studio in November 2023, on the theme of ‘Music Education at Scale’.

Our symposia are a half-day experience showcasing inspirational projects and ideas from across the music industry and music education sectors, sparking debate and providing networking opportunities. The symposiums bring together inspiring educators and industry leaders to discuss access to quality music education and how industry and education can collaborate to achieve this.

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2024 Impact:

100+ delegates and speakers discussed ways to improve pathways into music careers after higher education.

The day was an electrifying mix of presentations, workshops, and performances, designed to explore the relationship between higher education and the music industry, offering attendees an opportunity to reflect, collaborate, and innovate. Delegates from across the sector were treated to presentations from University of Liverpool, Create, Manchester Camerata, Royal College of Music, Opera North, CBSO, and Arts Council England.

The symposium culminated in a concert showcasing OPUS 1 works by both established and contemporary composers, was a poignant reminder of the courage and creativity that mark the start of every artistic journey. The concert was not just a celebration of talent but also a call to action — an invitation to support and champion the next generation of musicians.

2022 Impact:

50 delegates and speakers discussed ways to improve access to music education.

The Symposium comprised of a cross-section of music education, including schools, Orchestras for All, Tri-Borough Music Hub and Rhythm Studio. The marketing campaign for the event spanned six weeks prior to the Symposium and two weeks after, sharing a range of videos from Patrons, information regarding the Foundation and a Podcast to name a few. One of the videos resulted in HP’s first viral video, currently sitting at 17.8k views and 2,500 likes.

80% of survey participants from the Symposium were satisfied with the amount of activities and found the event extremely useful.