The Song School partners with Dalcroze UK to help them reach new audiences
ONE of the oldest music education charities in the world will be able to reach new audiences and begin to explore its heritage thanks to being awarded £42,347 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Dalcroze Eurhythmics, devised by Swiss composer Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, teaches music through movement of the body rather than focusing on playing instruments.
It originated in Europe in the early 20th century as part of a wider movement for progressive education and has had a profound influence on the teaching of music, acting and movement across the world. Many musicians and actors extol its benefits, including globally-renowned pop artist Annie Lennox, who is patron of Dalcroze UK.
But the method is still relatively unknown and Dalcroze UK, which celebrates its 110th birthday this year, is looking to reach a wider audience and share its heritage with future generations.
Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the grant will go towards exploring the charity’s dedicated archive held at the University of Surrey to create a participatory project with The Song School, in Southend. We plan to use archive items as a stimulus for creative outputs and a way of investigating the Dalcroze method, as well as reach new audiences through practical Dalcroze sessions and the creation of a short film.
Catherine Johns, CEO of Dalcroze UK, said: “The heritage of Dalcroze in the UK is special. We have an unbroken line of transition right back to Jaques-Dalcroze himself, which is the result of lots of incredibly dedicated, hard-working individuals. Most people who have experienced music in education will have experienced Dalcroze, albeit indirectly, because many of these principles of teaching pass easily between teachers and communities. Even if you’ve never had a Dalcroze class you will likely have learnt through Dalcroze principles.
“This grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will allow us to explore the Dalcroze Society UK Archive and understand how new audiences might engage with it, allowing it to inspire future generations. The eventual aim is to ensure that the heritage of Dalcroze in the UK is celebrated. Thanks to National Lottery players who are making this project possible.”
Helen Roberts, Archives & Special Collections Manager at the University of Surrey said, “We are looking forward to seeing how young people respond to historic artefacts in the Dalcroze Society UK Archive, how their understanding of heritage is enhanced, and the possibilities for creative exploration this presents.”
Louisa Strachan, Director of The Song School said, "We're thrilled to be working with Dalcroze UK on such an important project. We're particularly excited to watch our young people's reactions to what they discover at the Archive and how it impacts their future writing."
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Editor’s Notes:
About Dalcroze UK
2025 marks 110 years of Dalcroze in the UK, one of the oldest music education charities in the world. It exists to promote and support the teaching methods of Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, a Swiss composer. To qualify as a Dalcroze teacher is rigorous, requiring the highest standards of teaching across three strands: eurhythmics, which trains the body in rhythm; solfege, which trains the ear, eye and voice in pitch, melody and harmony, and improvisation, which brings all elements together according to the student’s own invention.
About the University of Surrey Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections at the University of Surrey look after over 120 heritage collections including the institutional archive, collections related to the illustrator E.H. Shepard and a range of special collections. However, one key area of collecting relates to dance and movement and, as part of this focus area, they hold the Dalcroze Society UK Archive. Their work covers collections care, preservation and access, support for research and teaching, and a broad range of public engagement activities.
About The Song School
The Song School, based in Southend, creates communities for music making, accessible for everyone regardless of circumstances. It exists to break down barriers associated with learning music, such as high tuition fees, access to instruments and practice spaces.
About the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities. www.heritagefund.org.uk Follow @HeritageFundUK on X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund