The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation is delighted to award a new grant to Ballifield Primary School, helping to subsidise a Year 3 trip to the Hallé for Youth concert celebrating International Women’s Day at Sheffield City Hall in March 2026. This project sits within the Foundation’s wider commitment to opening up high‑quality musical experiences for children across Sheffield schools, particularly those who might not otherwise have the chance to see and hear live orchestral music.
Ballifield’s Year 3 pupils will travel into the city centre to experience a full symphony orchestra live, with large‑screen visuals helping them see instruments and performers up close. For many children, this will be their first time hearing an orchestra in a concert hall, turning classroom music lessons into a powerful, real‑world experience they will remember for years.
The concert’s International Women’s Day theme shines a light on women’s achievements and evolving roles in society, supporting Ballifield’s curriculum focus on equality, diversity and aspiration. By linking live music with these values, the trip will help pupils see how culture and creativity can shape the world around them.
The total cost of tickets and coach travel is a significant amount for many families, and the school’s application made clear that without extra support some children could miss out. The Foundation’s grant will be used to subsidise transport and ticket costs, ensuring every Year 3 child can attend regardless of financial circumstance.
Ballifield already has a strong commitment to music, working with Sheffield Music Hub and using structured schemes of work to build pupils’ skills in singing, rhythm and performance. This visit builds on that foundation, giving pupils the chance to connect what they have learned in school with the sound and energy of a professional orchestra on stage.
Since it was established, The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation has awarded dozens of grants to schools, youth organisations, community groups and care settings, with many focused on giving Sheffield children better access to music. These school‑based projects have included funding for instrumental lessons, choir development, music resources and trips that broaden pupils’ horizons and build their confidence through performance.
Grant making to schools forms a key strand of the Foundation’s mission to support socially and economically disadvantaged people in Sheffield through music. By working closely with local schools, the Foundation aims to reduce financial barriers, nurture young talent and embed music as a vital part of every child’s education, not an optional extra.
Experiences like the Hallé for Youth concert help children develop listening skills, concentration, teamwork and emotional expression, all of which support learning across the curriculum. Hearing a live orchestra also exposes pupils to different genres, cultures and stories, building their “cultural capital” and helping them to imagine new possibilities for themselves.
For The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation, supporting trips like Ballifield’s is about much more than a single day out – it is about planting seeds that can grow into a lifelong love of music. By continuing to invest in schools across Sheffield, the Foundation honours Sarah’s belief that music has the power to bring joy, confidence and connection to every child in the city.