Art of Listening Appeal

Help us to deliver 100 Art of Listening workshops for 2,500 pupils from 40 schools across Edinburgh.

Art of Listening is one of the Festival’s signature creative learning initiatives. This project introduces pupils aged 10–12 to classical music and the International Festival through song and live performance.

In a two-hour workshop, a professional opera singer, facilitator and accompanist take pupils through a history of the piano. The workshops feature music ranging from Mendelssohn and Britten to the Harry Potter film scores and Taylor Swift. Pupils are guided through the listening experience, learning to engage their imaginations, develop stronger listening skills and respond creatively.

It costs £550* to deliver a workshop for approximately 30 children. In 2023, we want to reach more students than ever before.

A group of students sit on chairs at the front of a colourful hall with yoga mats laid out behind them

Any support, of any level, will help make it possible for the greatest number of pupils ever to learn from Art of Listening, giving children the opportunity to explore and delight in classical music. Please consider making a donation, or becoming an Art of Listening Supporter or Champion, covering the cost of one or more workshops. For more information, please see the options below.

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This workshop gives our pupils something that they often now don't receive in primary school – the opportunity to be exposed to different genres of music and see how accessible it actually is.
Teacher at St Ninian’s RC Primary

Due to the pandemic, young people have had limited access to live arts over the last few years, particularly outside of their school environment. The workshops take place in the Festival's home of The Hub, bringing the pupils back into a live performance space.

By supporting Art of Listening, you will give children across Edinburgh a powerful experience with music.

Image gallery

A gallery carousel of 7 items

Group of children in black hoodies looking at two adults with their hands up during a workshop — Primary 7 pupils participating in an Art of Listening workshop
© 2019 Credit : Ryan Buchanan

Two boys in black hoodies lie on the floor filling in worksheets — Art of Listening
© 2019 Credit : Ryan Buchanan

Rows of students on chairs watch a man playing piano in a colourful hall — Art of Listening
© 2019 Credit : Ryan Buchanan

A boy leans over a worksheet on the floor — Art of Listening
© 2019 Credit : Ryan Buchanan

A group of students sit on yoga mats in a colourful hall — Art of Listening
© 2019 Credit : Ryan Buchanan

Rows of students on chairs face a man standing up with his finger on his lips — Art of Listening
© 2019 Credit : Ryan Buchanan

Our Membership Options

Art of Listening Supporter

£550

A donation of £550 could pay for a two-hour workshop for nearly 30 children.

Your benefits include

Recognition of your support on our website and on our supporter board housed within The Hub
An invitation to a Festival reception during August

Art of Listening Champion

£1,650

£1,650 could support three workshops and give more than 75 children access to this transformational experience.

Your benefits include

Recognition of your support on our website and on our supporter board housed within The Hub
An invitation to a Festival reception during August
The offer to visit the Hub and where possible see an Art of Listening workshop in progress

*Art of Listening workshops cost approximately £550 to run one workshop, although this does not cover overheads (i.e. Learning and Engagement staff costs etc.) By becoming an Art of Listening Supporter or Champion you are making a one-off donation to help fund our Learning and Engagement work.

Learning and Engagement Partner

In the event that funds raised surpass the overall cost of Art of Listening workshops in 2023, then all additional monies will be designated to support our year-round Learning and Engagement programmes.