Maestros please

Annabel Williams • Published 28 May 2009 07:00 0 Comments

THE organisation which keeps thousands of Berkshire youngsters in tune every week has earned itself a glittering review.

The Berkshire Maestros charitable trust provides the chance for 10,000 children and young people in Bracknell Forest, Reading, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, West Berkshire and Wokingham to learn and play music.

A five-day review carried out in March reached the conclusion that Berkshire Maestros is 'a magnificently improving organisation'.

The work of the Maestros, which involves organising a pyramid of bands, choirs and orchestras across the county, was reviewed under the Federation of Music Services" music service evaluation and peer moderation programme, which is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and is happening throughout the country.

A team led by the head of another music service observed tuition, rehearsals and evaluations, interviewed students and tutors, organised discussions and examined the administration operation.

Among the key findings are:

*92% of Maestros pupils judged their lessons good or excellent

*Maestros is on course to have offered all Key Stage 2 children the opportunity to learn a musical instrument by 2011

*Maestros offers very good value in relation to the proportion of Government funding available

The review concluded: 'Berkshire Maestros is a good service overall which is responding well to the changing needs and priorities of schools and pupils.'

But it added: 'More work is needed in developing a shared understanding of Maestros as a strategic partner providing a valuable extended service, as opposed to a commercial organisation.'

Berkshire Maestros chief executive Philip Litchfield said: 'It is important that music services have an ongoing system of evaluation as it is only by acknowledging strengths and areas for development that we can continue to improve.'

For further information about Berkshire Maestros visit www.berkshiremaestros.org.uk

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 28 May 09

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