Faced with these needs, the three partner entities developed this project with the aim of creating synergies between formal and non-formal education and youth, promoting and adapting the innovative digital learning methodology (generated by music bands in the worst moments of the pandemic) to schools, and involving music bands in the curricular objectives of the music subject. We have managed to adapt and develop these methods of non-formal digital musical learning to the formal environment of schools, generating greater synergies between the schools themselves and the musical bands and using music as the wonderful tool that it is for the formation of values and for the development of educational and transversal competences. This links back to the objectives of the Erasmus+ KA210 Programme: ‒ Expand access to the Programme to small organizations (in this case SMRO and ARMELIS). ‒ Support the inclusion of students with fewer opportunities (from rural areas impacted by the economic and social crisis of the pandemic). ‒ Enhance the capabilities of the entities to work transnationally and between sectors. ‒ Improve teaching in schools and bands (with synergies between formal and non-formal education).
Music is a wonderful tool for the formation of values and the development of educational skills, and music bands complement the teaching at schools with an appealing, dynamic and fun non-formal education. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was clear that music bands (both school bands and individual entities) urgently needed to modernize their structures and working methods in order not to disappear. The young people and student members found it increasingly difficult to maintain their enthusiasm and effort in music, so the entities had the need to digitize to alleviate the barriers that appeared to participation, rehearsals and concerts. With this project we have addressed the needs of three beneficiary groups: PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, which have enhanced their digitalization; MUSIC BANDS, which have modernized their structure; and STUDENTS, especially those with barriers, who have new opportunities for inclusion and easier access to extracurricular activities.