An orchestra at school brings together all the students of the same elementary or college class around a common project: the creation of an orchestra that will grow, evolve, flourish for three years. Each orchestra at the school is a musical and educational project. This call for projects is part of the theme "Arts and Cultural Education".
Presentation of the device
What is the "Orchestra at School" call for projects?
"Orchestra at school" is an artistic and cultural device deployed in French schools and colleges for twenty years. It is part of the agreement signed on February 27, 2017 between the Ministries of Culture, National Education and the association "Orchestra at school".
"Orchestra at school" is the result of a territory project involving a school (primary or middle school), a certified conservatory or an accredited music school and if possible a local authority. The association "Orchestra at School" - National Resource Centre - accompanies those who wish, from the conception of the project.
Many professionals and resources are available to project leaders to support them in their efforts.
The association "Orchestra at school" contributes to the creation of orchestras in each city of France. It is not intended to label projects, but to accompany them:
- at the time of their creation through assistance in setting up the project and purchasing instruments;
- during their existence by promoting their sustainability through projects of musical representations, meetings, workshops or symposia.
Its website contains many resources to facilitate the assembly of an orchestra at school. It also provides tailor-made training and its mission managers accompany each step of the writing of the project (contact: 01 53 60 36 99 or asso@orchestre-ecole.com).
Les pedagogical advisors (1st degree) and IA/IPR (2nd degree) in music education accompany the educational teams in the formalization of the pedagogical project in which the orchestra fits into the school (coordinates on the websites of DSDEN or Rectorats).
DRAC Arts and Cultural Education Advisors and Academic Delegates to the Rectorate Cultural Action may, through their knowledge of artistic, cultural and heritage networks and their ability to connect, contribute to the development of the cultural pathway.
Objectives of the approach
"Orchestra at school" is a project of artistic and cultural territory but also educational, social and citizen. It is based on the teaching, in school time, of collective instrumental practice to children and adolescentsEach orchestra brings together a group of elementary or college students for an average of three years.
Instrumental practice must be part of a global artistic and cultural education project, it is therefore hoped that an annual cultural discovery course, radiating if possible on several classes of the school during school time, artistic, cultural or heritage outings (concerts by professional ensembles, visits to violin making workshops, venues for live performances such as a concert hall or opera, etc.) combined with the work done in an orchestral workshop.
Would you like to know more about this device? Visit the website of the dedicated association:
Am I concerned by this approach?
- Associations
- Commons
- Departments
- EPCI with own taxation
The following are eligible for this call for projects:
- schools (elementary school or college);
- certified conservatories or music schools accredited under the Departmental Scheme of Arts Education (list available from the departmental council).
Partnership with one or more local authorities (municipalities, inter-municipal...) is recommended but not mandatory.
Les eligibility criteria are defined by each decentralized department of the Ministry of Culture. For more information, please refer to the regional elements below and contact the relevant department in your territory, whose contact details are given at the bottom of the page.
Projects that meet the following criteria are eligible:
- The project must comply with the quality charter proposed by the association "Orchestra at school", which is an integral part of the specifications (downloadable below).
- The project must be based on a three-year (or two-year minimum) multi-year partnership.
- The orchestra must take place during school time, it is recommended at least two hours of teaching weekly. However, part of the teaching may be done on extra-curricular time.
- Two distinct times, each of a significant duration are to be foreseen: one work time per desk (small groups) and one work time for the orchestra (ensemble).
- Creating an orchestra at school is a collective project. Each orchestra at the school is based on the collaboration of at least three partners: National Education, a specialized arts education structure and a community. A luthier should also be associated. In addition to these essential founding partners, other actors can contribute to the success of the approach: artistic and cultural actors (performance halls, mediators, artists, etc.), social actors, state services, charitable associations, companies, elected officials.
- The arts courses are taught by music teachers from the project’s partner arts education structure, and/or by the musicians involved (notably holders of a University Diploma of Musician Involved – DUMI), in conjunction with one or more National Education teachers (school teachers, college music teachers, etc.).
This is an operating aid that contributes to the remuneration of the teachers of the conservatories or schools of partner music, the expenses related to cultural outings, the organization of concerts, etc...
The initial investment (purchase and maintenance of the instrumental park) is the responsibility of local actors (local authorities, sponsors, etc.). However, it may be supported by the association Orchestra in school up to 50% of the total cost.
Proceeding
The annual support of the DRAC Grand Est is €1,500 per orchestra class, renewable twice per orchestra class, subject to the production of the annual employment report of the grant.
The orchestra can be implemented in two ways: :
- the rising cohort, where only one class participates for three years in the scheme,
- the permanent device accommodating an additional class every year.
The support of the DRAC is modulated according to the chosen option.
The payment of the grant is made by the decentralized service of the Ministry of Culture in the territory of the project.
An orchestra at the school must be the subject of steering meetings and regular pedagogical consultations.
With a view to permanent progress, the presentation of an annual report to the various parties
Stakeholders are particularly recommended: National education, arts education structure and community.
Evaluation of the device must be planned from the design stage. It helps to ensure that the quality requirements are met, and to constantly improve the quality of
project. It can be conducted by the steering committee or call on an outside actor.
Pupils' progress (attendance, autonomy, involvement, etc.) should also be assessed through the musical objectives linked to instrumental practice and the impact of the system on the acquisition of the common competence base, knowledge and culture, as defined by National Education.
- Opening of the deposit of files: soon
- Deadline for submission: 25 May 2023, 23:59 (Paris time). No file may be filed or considered after this date.
- The committee responsible for verifying that the dossiers comply with the criteria of the specifications will meet in the first half of June and will promptly communicate its decisions.
The project review must be sent at the end of each school year.
1. For new projects, the request for support consists of:
- a copy of the application form sent to the association "Orchestra at school" (project presentation sheet + budget to download here)
- the designation of the administrative and financial holder of the project (school, music school or local authority);
- a presentation of the proposed cultural discovery route (free format);
- the written opinion on the educational project of the district NEI (1st degree) or the school head (2nd degree).
You will need to create your space to submit your application to the association "Orchestra in school". The file must be sent in parallel by couriere to the DRAC Grand Est Attention:
Nicole Blondeau: nicole.blondeau@culture.gouv.fr ; 03 88 15 57 10
2) For projects under renewal, the file consists of:
- the balance sheet for the past year;
- du form cerfa 12156*06 grant application.
To be sent by courier to DRAC Grand Est to: Nicole Blondeau: nicole.blondeau@culture.gouv.fr ; 03 88 15 57 10
3. Registration on the ADAGE platform:
In addition to this mailing, it is recalled that the services of the National Education impose the registration of the project on the ADAGE platform.
Examples of projects previously supported
To be added later.
A question?
If you have any questions about the Orchestre à l'École en Grand Est call for projects, please contact DRAC Grand Est and the Rectorats, whose contacts are listed below:
DRAC Grand Est
Nancy Metz Academy
- Arts and Cultural Education Advisor: Sébastien PACI: sebastien.paci@culture.gouv.fr ; 03 87 56 41 41
- Academic Delegate for Cultural Action: Sophie RENAUDIN: ce.daac@ac-nancy-metz.fr ; 03 83 86 21 37
Acedemy of Reims
- Artistic and cultural education advisor: Frédérique PETIT: frederique.petit@culture.gouv.fr ; 03 26 70 36 97
- Academic Delegate for Cultural Action: Eric GUERIN: eric-marie.guerin@ac-reims.fr ; 03 26 05 68 37
Strasbourg Academy
- Arts and Cultural Education Advisor: Renaud WEISSE: renaud.weisse@culture.gouv.fr ; 03 88 15 57 82
- Academic Delegate for Cultural Action: Peggy GATTONI: peggy.gattoni@ac-strasbourg.fr ; 03 88 23 37 35