Our year in numbers

Schools all over the county will soon receive copies of West Sussex Music’s annual review, a fact packed celebratory overview of last academic year. 

The WSM Annual Review 2023-24 is an opportunity for us to reflect and report on everything they have been doing for the past 12 months to share with schools, partner organisations, and families. 

It has been wonderful to look back on a year of expanding opportunities and see the number of young people starting or progressing their musical journey increasing. This year we’ve seen another rise in students taking instrumental and vocal lessons, music centre membership has grown, holiday activities have become established, our first solo overseas choir tour gave a new experience to young singers and more schools than ever have been supported through our programmes. 

Along with articles covering everything from singing workshops to an overseas tour, to CPD, and classroom instrument lessons, is a double page spread highlighting some incredible statistics. 

James Underwood, Chief Executive for West Sussex Music, said: 

“2023-24 was a highly successful year for our charity. The story these numbers are telling is that through forging strong partnerships the musical opportunities available to children and young people can be expanded and broadened. As well as the provision delivered by WSM and by schools, we have enjoyed collaborating with a range of local and national partners, such as Glyndebourne, The Benedetti Foundation, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestra”. 

He added: “The numbers are also a reflection of the hard work by the staff at WSM, who work tirelessly to create musical opportunities for children and young people across the county, and the tremendous work that school music leaders do to ensure their students access high-quality music education.” 

Highlights of 2023-24 include –  

• 98% schools engaged with WSM, and  

• 30,565 students involved in music activities, an increase of 62% 

Of these,  

• 14,316 students involved in large scale events, an increase of 122% 

• 7,239 students attended live music performances, an increase of 154% 

• 5,843 students involved in singing, an increase of 150% 

• 9,659 students engaged in first access programmes, an increase of 28% 

• 984 students received financial support, an increase of 53%.   

To read the full WSM Annual Review 2023-24 click here.