In Harmony Opera North

In Harmony Opera North engages over 3,200 children and young people every week.

Delivering an inclusive programme of high quality music education and performance opportunities, In Harmony Opera North encourages young people from all backgrounds to engage with the arts and benefit from a range of personal, social and musical outcomes.

The programme promotes musical excellence and provides development pathways for committed and enthusiastic young people to realise their musical potential, but In Harmony Opera North is more than a music programme: at its heart the programme supports the development of a strong sense of community which feels connected to the wider company of Opera North and the work that it creates and presents.

The In Harmony schools programme currently takes place at eight primary schools, three infant schools and one secondary school in Leeds, Halifax, Dewsbury and Pontefract and involves over 3200 children and young people in full-time education on a weekly basis.

• Windmill Primary School, Belle Isle, Leeds (since 2013)
• Low Road Primary School, Hunslet, Leeds (since 2015)
• New Bewerley Community School, Beeston, Leeds (since 2016)
• Richmond Hill Academy, Richmond Hill, Leeds (since 2018)
• Clapgate Primary School, Belle Isle, Leeds (since 2022)
• Trinity Academy Leeds, Burmantofts, Leeds (since 2022)
• Sharp Lane Primary School, Middleton, Leeds (since 2024)
• Ling Bob Junior Infant & Nursery School, Halifax (since 2024)
• King’s Meadow Academy, Pontefract (since 2024) 
• Savile Town C Of E V C Infant & Nursery School, Dewsbury (since 2024)
• Thornhill Lees C Of E Infant & Nursery School, Dewsbury (since 2024)
• Diamond Wood Community School, Dewsbury (since 2024)

We’ve also worked in the following schools:

• The Ruth Gorse Academy, Leeds (2019-2022)
• The Stephen Longfellow Academy, Beeston, Leeds (2019-2021)
• Lee Mount Primary School, Halifax (2022-2024)

In Harmony Opera North was awarded Skills Builder Partnership Impact Level 2 for supporting the development of essential skills in ‘Speaking’, ‘Listening’, ‘Staying Positive’ and ‘Teamwork’.

“The In Harmony programme continues to be an essential ingredient in ensuring the future success of our pupils. It continues to define our identity and ethos, and enriches the social, moral, spiritual and cultural aspects of our curriculum in a way that no other project can match.

It has brought communities together and acts as the unifying thread in the tapestry of our ongoing achievements. My pupils exude pride and passion for the In Harmony programme. Long may it continue to change lives for the better.”

— Andy Gamble, Executive Headteacher, Low Road and Windmill Music Federation

In Harmony is a national programme that aims to inspire and transform the lives of children in deprived communities, using the power and disciplines of ensemble music-making. The programme, funded by the Department for Education and Arts Council England, has ongoing projects in Lambeth, Liverpool, Newcastle Gateshead, Nottingham, and Telford and Stoke in addition to In Harmony Opera North.

In Harmony Opera North is generously funded by:
Arts Council England
The Keith Howard Foundation
The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation
Opera North Future Fund

In Harmony Ambassadors:
The Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust

In Harmony Supporters:
The Harrison-Frank Family Foundation (UK)
Pinsent Masons
The Rudge Shipley Charitable Foundation