Hundreds of children in North Kirklees are being targeted under an initiative to take the snobbery out of classical music.

The aim is to tackle the preconception that music other than pop songs by Oasis or the Spice Girls, for example, is only for the cultural elite.

Youngsters are being encouraged to follow the example of great composers such as Mozart and Bach by creating and performing their own works.

It is being done through the North Kirklees Composer in Residence Scheme, which aims to give children access to a first classical musical resource over an academic year.

The project is a joint venture between Kirklees Council's cultural services, Opera North and composer and educator Hugh Nankivell.

Now 350 pupils - aged between nine and 17 - from Spen Valley High School in Liversedge, Gomersal Middle, Howden Clough High in Birstall and Birkdale High in Dewsbury are being shown the wonders of traditional tunes.

The project is led by Mr Nankivell who, with the help of North Opera, is bringing instrumentalists such as violin and viola players into the classroom for some of the sessions.

Pupils are also working to create group compositions which they will record during visits to the Beaumont Street Studios in Batley.

Teachers at the schools are being encouraged to get involved in the scheme and work closely with Mr Nankivell to carry on the work once it ends in the summer.

In June all those involved in the project will be invited to a "sharing session" at Dewsbury Town Hall to swap their experiences.

The children's achievements will also be captured through photographs, text and in professional recordings of the compositions.

And pupils will be offered the chance to attend one of the concerts in this year's Dewsbury Orchestra Season free of charge.

Paul O'Donoghue, head of music at Spen Valley High, said: "The children are enjoying the scheme and are very attentive.

"They have already composed two songs and we've had a violinist and viola player from Opera North in school.

"For many pupils it is the first time they have seen an orchestral musician perform live.

"I think the scheme is an excellent way of getting children to appreciate different kinds of music.

"Children are much more responsive if they are not only encouraged to listen to classical music but also compose and perform their own music.

"In my day the teacher would stick a record on and ask the children to listen to a particular movement without any guidance."

Council staff are now involved in discussions with the Halle Orchestra and English Northern Philharmonic Orchestra to plan further music education programmes.

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