On Monday 24th April 2023, Theatre Royal Drury Lane saw confetti rain down on a delighted audience of parents, supporters and special guests as an evening celebrating 10 years of the Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST) came to an end.

MiSST was founded a decade ago with one simple aim: to ensure that music and musical performance was at the very heart of a secondary school education. Started in London, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme has now extended across the country, particularly focused on schools in disadvantaged areas. MiSST’s work focuses on providing a classical music education in the form of funding, tuition and performance opportunities.

Over 10 years, numbers of students taking part in the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme have grown from around 700 per year to over 10,000 in 2021. Over 14,000 musical instruments have been donated to date.

Of MiSST, Andrew Lloyd Webber says:

"Engagement in the arts changes lives. The positive impact of the arts on health, social mobility and wellbeing are now irrefutable. I passionately believe that everyone in this country, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, should be able to participate and I am thrilled MiSST’s music programme will make the difference for these young people."

To close the evening of inspiring performances - from compositions and conducting, to solos and singalongs, Lloyd Webber accompanied Jason Donovan and all the MiSST students in a performance of Any Dream Will Do from his 1973 musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Yesterday's concert exemplified the work MiSST does in putting music at the heart of the curriculum to widen access, inspire creativity and deliver opportunities. Visit the MiSST website to learn more.

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Photo: Andy Paradise

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