| Main Performers | HRH Prince of Wales (Patron, Children and the Arts),
Rose Millard (CEO, Children and the Arts),
Baron Andrew Lloyd Webber,
Samuel West - speakers |
| Secondary Performers | Myleene Klass and two daughters (Hero Harper Quinn, Ava Bailey Quinn) - piano |
| Choirs | Choir from St Paul's and All Hallows' Infant and Junior Schools, Tottenham |
| Set List | Round table talks - Coda restuarant,
Dance and choral performances (school children):
Dance - 'Details in Fabric', J Mraz,
'Amazing Grace', trad.,
'Trio - Mango Walk', B Kirkby-Mason (Myleene Klass and daughters),
'Ava Solo - Solfeggietto', C P E Bach (Myleene Klass and daughters),
Speeches - Elgar Room - (HRH Prince of Wales) |
| Royal Presence | HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales (Patron, Children and the Arts) |
| Performance Notes | By invitation only event to discuss the Arts and creativity in UK schools. The event hosted by charity Children and the Arts brought together actors and artists, teachers and politicians from across the country. Founded in 2002, Children and the Arts works with arts venues across the UK to reach children who may miss out on creative and cultural experiences.
During the event HRH Prince of Wales said, "We mustn't see arts in isolation from the sciences - but rather in harmony with them."
Baron Andrew Lloyd Webber said, "The arts on the widest level are vital to this country, its not about turning kids into musicians, its about empowering our kids."
Samuel West said, Were here to shout for the easy and affordable access to art, the democratisation of the arts.
The event was organised due to HRH Prince of Wales's concern about the decline of the Arts in schools. Rosie Millard said the Royal Albert Hall conference was 'the next stage' in a campaign to 'increase and stop the general slide of arts and creativity in schools for children and young people'. She followed, 'The prince is very concerned about it and he wanted to have this day to bring together educationalists, politicians and arts leaders, artists and people to whom this matters and for whom arts has been their life.'
Ms Millard spoke about how the prince's passion for the arts was fostered by his grandmother. 'The Prince of Wales is aware that he has had an amazing life and because of his position has outstanding access to arts and creativity which he's always been a huge supporter of.' She added: 'When he was a young boy he was taken by the Queen Mother to see the Bolshoi Ballet and to see Shakespeare and he said he didn't really understand it ... but he was aware of the magic of arts performance and the magic, beauty and creativity of culture.'
She said he was 'very keen' that all children and young people across the country should 'share that magic and have a chance to see that magic.' She added that parents needed to be reassured that doing an art or music A-level would not result in their child 'starving in a garret'. Ms Millard went on to say that the arts should not be the preserve of the middle classes at home and should be 'baked into the school day'.
The coalition government, during Michael Gove's tenure as education secretary, introduced the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) which measures the numbers of pupils achieving a grade C - or grade 5 under the new grading system - at GCSE in English, maths, science, history or geography, and a language. There were concerns at the time the focus on these core subjects would squeeze out others, such as art and drama.
Actress Zoe Wanamaker told the Press Association: Science and the arts go together. [Children studying the arts] dont have to become actors, they dont have to become singers, they dont have to become dancers" But a rounded education is needed for the next generation to think outside the box. Asked whether arts are being sidelined in schools, she said: Its a mess. Its all about points."
Britains Got Talent judge Holden told the Press Association that the issue was not about knocking the Government in difficult economic times, but ensuring the arts were not seen as a softer area of education. Its like not drilling for oil, she said, as the arts are financially very viable and worthwhile. And Choreographer and former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips said: Creativity has to be heralded by the Government as one of the most important things that a young person can study and forge a career in. As schools get stripped down to sometimes eight academic subjects only, I think theres a huge problem here.
Stars signed a joint statement saying that every child should have access during their time in school to the benefits that arts and culture bring.
Guests at the event included Benedict Cumberbatch (actor), Amanda Holden (presenter, actress), Arlene Phillips (choreographer), Myleene Klass (presenter, pianist), Jon Moynihan (President, Royal Albert Hall), Sir Nicolas Serota (Chair, Arts Council England), Meera Syal (comedian, playwright), Sir Lenny Henry (actor, comedian), Zoe Wannamaker (actress), Tony Hall (BBC Director-General), Robert Lindsay (actor), Dame Vivienne Westwood (fashion designer), Adrian Lester (actor), David Morrissey (actor), Jeremy Wright (Culture Secretary), Michael Ellis (Arts Minister).
Representatives in attendance came from organisations including the Creative Industries Federation, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), Business in the Community, The Design and Technology Association, Bacc for the Future, and Incorporated Society of Musicians.
HRH Prince of Wale's visit was of note as it was the first public engegment made by any member of the UK Royal Family in an electric car (a Jaguar I-Pace). He later visited the Old Vic Theatre which was celebrating its 200th anniversary.
Whilst on stage HRH Prince Charles was presented with an award for Queen Victoria's 'Star', which had been unveiled at the Hall the prevous day. On accepting the 'star' His Majesty commented that he regarded Prince Albert's creation of Albertopolis as a testament to how the Arts and Sciences shouldn't be seperated, and this remained relevant today. |
| Related Archival Material | Digital Photographs |