HarrisonParrott Foundation Symposium — Making Every Note Count: Equity, Excellence & Access

HarrisonParrott Foundation Symposium - Making Every Note Count: Equity, Excellence & Access

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HarrisonParrott Foundation Symposium

Making Every Note Count: Equity, Excellence and Access

14 November 2025, The Glasshouse, Gateshead

Symposium Partners:

BBC Orchestras & Choirs

UK Music

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

Young Sounds UK

How do we ensure that every young person who begins a musical journey has the chance not only to enter the profession, but to thrive and stay in it?
This year’s Symposium brings together musicians, educators, industry leaders, funders, policymakers and, critically, young people themselves, to tackle this very urgent question.

Across a day of dialogue, showcases, and hands-on co-creation, we will explore what it means to build a more circular talent model for music: one that values retention as much as access, and that places wellbeing and belonging at the heart of sustainable careers. From innovation and social change to digital storytelling, from evolving needs on all sides to co-designed sector tools, the programme is designed to spark fresh thinking and collective action.

A central feature of the day will be the CHORD (Collaborative Hub for Opportunity, Relationships & Development) Toolkit, which will be developed live in partnership with delegates, offering a practical framework for cross-sector collaboration and organisational operating strategies. By the close of the Symposium, participants will be invited to sign up to the Toolkit as a pledge to shared responsibility and commitment to long-term, sector-wide change.

The Symposium is not simply about conversation — it is about commitment. Your voice matters. Your experience matters. Your ideas matter. Join us at The Glasshouse to help shape a future where equity, excellence, and access are not just ideas and aspirations — but realities.

With huge thanks to our strategic partners: BBC Orchestras & Choirs, Glasshouse International Centre of Music, UK Music & Young Sounds.

CHORD

The CHORD Toolkit (Collaborative Hub for Opportunity, Relationships & Development) will be designed as a dynamic partnership-building and partner-matching service, supporting cross-sector collaboration in music.

Purpose & Approach

Living Database: The toolkit will act as a living database of partner profiles, knowledge, training, and resources. It will enable organisations and individuals to connect based on shared values, needs, and objectives.
Partner-Matching: Delegates and partners will be able to use the toolkit to identify and connect with others whose profiles and goals align, fostering meaningful collaborations and mutual support.
Knowledge Base & Training: The toolkit will provide access to a growing repository of case studies, best practice recommendations, benchmarking tools, and training resources, supporting ongoing professional development and sector innovation.
Community of Practice: By facilitating knowledge-sharing and standardisation, the toolkit will encourage a community of practice approach, where users contribute to and benefit from collective expertise.

Features

Partnership Profiling: Users will be able to download and complete profiling tools to benchmark their organisation’s strengths, needs, and aspirations, supporting targeted partnership development.
Case Studies: Real-world examples will illustrate successful collaborations and provide inspiration for new initiatives.
Operational Strategies: The toolkit may include practical strategies for delivering excellence, inclusion, and access in diverse working environments, reflecting shared values and mutual accountability.
Continuous Evolution: As a living document, the toolkit will evolve with input from current and future participants, ensuring relevance and responsiveness to sector needs.

Symposium Agenda – 14 November 2025

Registration & Breakfast Q&A

Location: Balcony Bar 1
09:30 – 10:30 Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:45 – 10:25 Baroque & A Roll: Breakfast Q&A with international artist Nicolas Altstaedt

Morning Session

Location: Northern Rock Foundation Hall
Topic 1: Why Are We Here? Why Does This Matter?
Sub-theme: Innovation & Social Change
Moderator: Dr Oliver Morris, UK Music

10:30 – 10:40 Welcome to The Glasshouse – presented by Fraser Anderson, Interim CEO, The Glasshouse
10:40 – 11:00 The Social Value Engine: A Vehicle for Change – presented by Sarah Derbyshire and colleagues from Orchestras Live and East Riding (Yorks.) Council
11:00 – 11:30 Panel 1: Can Research Change the Tune? – presented by Dr Orian Brook (University of Edinburgh), Jacob Simmons (PhD Researcher, University of Liverpool), Dr Mat Flynn or colleagues (Music Futures), Dr Adam Behr (Newcastle University)
11:30 – 12:00 Panel 2: Re-scoring Education: New Frontiers in Music Pedagogy – presented by Dr Christopher Tarrant (Newcastle University), Cara Liddiard (Alumna, University of York), Scott Monks (CEO, Rocksteady)

Refreshment Break – 15 minutes
Location: Balcony Bar 1

Midday Session

Location: Northern Rock Foundation Hall
Topic 2: From Broadcasting to Self-Casting: Who Shapes a Music Career Today?
Moderator: Simon Webb, BBC Orchestras & Choirs

12:15 – 13:00 Storytelling, Digital, Broadcast & Amplifying Impact – presented by Simon Webb (BBC), Emily Savage (Kycker), Shakk Hashemi (Freelance Rapper & BBC Presenter), Jaye Harrison (Assistant Commissioner, BBC), Blue Raincoat Music, Kay Greyson (Performing Artist)

Lunch – 13:00 – 13:45
Location: Balcony Bar 1

Afternoon Session

Location: Northern Rock Foundation Hall
Topic 3: Inspiration or Exclusion: Who Gets Left Behind in Music?
Moderator: Bridget Whyte, Music Mark

13:45 – 14:15 Youth Panel – presented by Joan Buhalagarha, Georgia May, Louis Wild, Adam Wood
14:15 – 14:45 Educator Panel – presented by Sarah Alexander (CEO, National Youth Orchestra), Hester Cockcroft (CEO, Young Sounds), Mahaliah Edwards (Music Educator, PhD Researcher and Young Sounds UK Alumna & Former Trustee), Jenny Williams (North East Music Hub), Susanna Mogaji (Director of Creative Learning, The Glasshouse)
14:45 – 15:45 Workshop: Co-curation of the CHORD Toolkit – presented by Vick Bain, Academic & Music Business Research Consultant, former CEO of BASCA, Founder of The F List

Toolkit Overview:

Living Database – partner profiles, training, resources
Partner-Matching – connect based on shared values and goals
Knowledge Base & Training – case studies, benchmarking tools, professional development
Community of Practice – shared expertise and sector innovation

Toolkit Features:

Partnership profiling tools
Real-world case studies
Operational strategies for inclusion and excellence
Continuous evolution through user input

Refreshment Break – 15 minutes
Location: Balcony Bar 1

Closing Session

Location: Northern Rock Foundation Hall
Topic 4: Access x Retention: What Attracts Talent to Music Careers and What Makes Them Stay?
Moderator: Lydia Connolly

16:00 – 16:40 Panel One: Barriers to Access – presented by Makeda McMillan (Managing Director, Small Green Shoots), Professor Nate Holder, Generator, Melanie Fryer (Producer, BBC Open Music), Lucy Scott (Senior Producer, Contemporary Music & Artist Development, The Glasshouse)
16:40 – 17:20 Panel Two: Red & Green Flags in the Workplace – presented by Trudy Wright, Carol Reid (Youth Music), Mark Pemberton OBE, Tony Ereira (Director, Come Play With Me)
17:20 – 17:30 Group Session & Closing Remarks – presented by Lissy Kelleher-Clarke, HarrisonParrott Foundation
Pledge to use the CHORD Toolkit, complete SVE data capture, and share news of HarrisonParrott Foundation’s bursary scheme and trustee recruitment