The Royal Albert Hall has joined forces with Samsung to create a new Digital Classroom within the world famous venue, where it will host a unique cross-curriculum music programme for children in the UK, aged seven to 14.
Focusing on the role of music in science and maths, the new programme will launch in early 2014. Samsung has been working with the Hall since March 2012 as its official screen supplier and is now its official digital and technology partner, adding to the Hall’s already established education programme.
The new programme includes two new, practical workshops; ‘Discover Music & Maths’ for Key Stage 2 and ‘Discover Music & Science’ for Key Stage 3. The maths workshop will see students creating and recording a piece of music from scratch using mathematical principles. The science workshop will encourage students to look at scientific principles from a musical perspective, culminating in the creation of a piece of music. Both will use a wide variety of technology as provided by Samsung including a 55” TV screen as well as laptops, Galaxy Cameras and Galaxy Note handsets. In addition, the technology will be used to enhance current education programmes at the Hall, including its Discover Workshops and Victorian Tours for schools. A new green screen has been installed for young visitors to imagine visiting the Hall when it was first built, or being pictured on its world famous stage.
Matthew Hancock, Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise Departments for Business, Innovation and Skills and Education, who opened the classroom, said: “It’s fantastic to see Samsung combine its technology expertise with the Royal Albert Hall’s passion for music to help children learn maths and science in a fun and innovative way.
‘STEM subjects are vitally important for the UK’s economic future. This kind of initiative helps bring education and employment closer together – if children learn how to code, create computer programmes and understand how a computer works, they then have the opportunity to apply these skills in future careers.
‘That’s why it’s great to see a leading technology company like Samsung using its expertise to support the delivery of key STEM subjects. I am sure Samsung’s Digital Classrooms and Digital Academies, along with the innovative Royal Albert Hall, will help inspire the next generation to pursue careers in technology.’
As a charity, the Royal Albert Hall is committed to expanding public access, making the Hall more accessible to the general public for national benefit. Its education initiatives champion youth music and participation and welcomes groups who might otherwise have little opportunity to experience live performance or visit the Hall. In 2012 alone the Hall’s education outreach connected with 100,000 people throughout the UK and brought music education to 150 schools.
All schools throughout the UK are welcome to take part in the workshops at the Samsung Digital Classroom and can apply to take part by emailing