Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Lord Mayor’s Appeal/“Pitch Perfect”?

  • The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and the Cricket Foundation, the two main beneficiary charities of the 2010 Appeal, have joined forces to create “Pitch Perfect”
  • The Lord Mayor’s Appeal 2010 aims to generate significant funds to bring dynamic musical and cricketing opportunities to state schools and their communities in London’s most challenging boroughs.

How can music and cricket help young people?

  • Both can help teach young people valuable life skills such as team work, communication, leadership and social skills.
  • Playing in a team or in an orchestra is inclusive and can help break down social and cultural barriers between young people, improve their self-confidence and become well-rounded individuals.

How much money will it raise for the charities?

  • We aim to raise as much as possible for the charities’ London initiatives, StreetChance and LSO On Track, and to make Pitch Perfect a sustainable project.   Hasn’t another cricket charity been a beneficiary of the 2009 Appeal?
  • Yes, The Lord’s Taverners charity was a beneficiary of 2009 Appeal. The Lord Mayor for the 2010 Appeal, Nick Anstee, is a long-term supporter of the Cricket Foundation and chose the charity to be one of the beneficiaries, which will benefit thousands of young Londoners.

What can I/my company do to help the Appeal?

  • There are a wide range of Appeal events and fundraising activities for individuals and companies, from Gala dinners to the “City Dip”, the City of London’s annual sponsored swim. See Appeal Brochure or website for more details.

Where can I find out about the Appeal?

  • Lord Mayor’s Appeal brochure Right here on this site

ON STREETCHANCE

What is StreetChance?

  • StreetChance is an inner-city cricket project being delivered initially across ten London boroughs, with plans to expand in 2010.
  • The initiative uses cricket to engage young people from a range of backgrounds in areas affected by youth crime and anti-social behaviour.

How does it relate to Chance to shine?

  • StreetChance is an extension of the Chance to shine core programme for inner-city areas where there are fewer cricket clubs and green spaces.

How does the StreetChance programme work?

  • StreetChance is an integrated project with both in-school and out of school activities for children aged 8 – 18.

Each inner-city state school receives 20 hours of coaching from professional cricket coaches.

  • Weekly community cricket sessions are held across 10 London boroughs, 3 hours/week (usually between 5pm and 8pm) over a 35-week period.

Where does StreetChance take place?

What is “Street 20” cricket?

  • Street 20 is based on tapeball cricket and uses a tennis ball covered in tape. It’s even more fast-paced than Twenty20 – each innings last 20 balls, everyone bats and bowls and games, which can be played anywhere with a flat surface, last 20 minutes.

ON LSO DISCOVERY ON TRACK

What is LSO Discovery On Track?

  • LSO On Track is a key part of LSO Discovery, the London Symphony Orchestra’s pioneering music education and community programme.
  • LSO Discovery is based at LSO St Luke’s on Old Street, London EC1, the Orchestra’s music education centre.   Now in its 20th year, LSO Discovery works with infants, schoolchildren, adults and disabled people, reaching over 40,000 individuals each year.

Who does LSO on Track reach?

  • The programme offers shared music making and live performance to over 15,000 5 – 18 year olds.
  • Pitch Perfect will take the project to disadvantaged young people in communities across London.

The activities?

  • Thousands of young people are now learning instruments and playing in bands, orchestras, chamber groups.
  • In the coming year there will be : 180 LSO musicians visiting schools 150 workshops and coaching session 28 music technology workshops

Who are the teachers/leaders?

  • Over 2,200 teachers and instrumental tutors have been involved in projects; 95 Continuing Professional Development sessions for primary school teachers have taken place and further expansion of this training is planned.

What styles of music are involved?

  • Jazz and World Music projects are in development in addition to classical music; this will give young people further opportunities to develop their music making.

Future plans?  

  • LSO Discovery On Track is proud to be part of the Cultural Olympiad 2012.   The long term view is that activities should support local need and create a sustainable legacy of excellent music provision for young people to 2012 and beyond.