Who we help - some examples…
In our 25/26 financial year, we helped 116 children and young people to make music, with all the benefits that brings. Some of them we support through Surrey Arts, a few via Future Talent and Young Sounds UK, some apply directly to us and some participate in school projects. Here are some examples of the children we help.
A quote from a student we support through Surrey Arts
“I play the violin and drums and I want to be an electronic musician when I grow up. Thank you so much! The grant really helps me in lots of ways. Longer lessons help me engage more with the piece I'm currently working on and to learn faster. Orchestras help me musically socialise with other musicians and to get used to playing in front of others. Thank you so much for my grant. It really means a lot to me.”
Ivan
Ivan first fell in love with percussion and drums aged three at a street music festival in Hungary. He began formal percussion lessons at the age of 8 and joined the Junior Guildhall Music Programme just a year later. Now aged 12, he is also a secondary student at the Purcell School of Music and he recently became the first winner of the Guildhall Young Artists National Brass and Percussion Competition, winning first place in the under 14s percussion category. Ivan hopes to become a professional musician.
Hawk
Hawk is nine years old and is studying cello at Junior Trinity on the String Time programme. Hawk participated in the creative workshop at RAM with Future Talent last year and this year he has been an enthusiastic member of the National Youth String Orchestra. He sings in the Trinity Laban choir and plays piano (as well as enjoying swimming, Minecraft and visiting ships!)
Stepan
I am Stepan, my hobbies are music and being with friends. When I was a very young child, I always made sounds by hitting things and listening to echoes. I got interested in drums when I was in infant school and in violin a couple of years later. I have since taken up learning oboe and flute. I find music fun and enjoy playing instruments, there is lots to discover and learn. I am never bored with it. I can play in many different bands and orchestras. I love the different musical discoveries and learning. My oboe playing is very popular with ensembles. Having lessons through the support of the Cheryl King Trust enables me to achieve a lot of progress in learning the instruments much faster than just watching YouTube. Without the lessons I would not be able to play much and would not be able to take it as seriously as I do now or make a future life with it. I would like to be a musician when I grow up. I also intend to compose and possibly teach music to others. I have recently begun arranging music for my school orchestra.
Lauryn - Young Sounds Award
The latest recipient of our annual Young Sounds UK award is 16 year old Lauryn from Camberley. Lauryn is a very adventurous and ambitious musician. Principally a pianist, she has also explored other instruments, for example drums and guitar, so that she can better understand rhythm and how different sounds fit together.
She says, “I really love the piano, as it can do almost everything, from the bass line to the chords and the melody, which is not something every instrument can do. I love trying out different styles and ways to play. I’m influenced by artists like Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, J. Cole, and Etta James people whose music is unique and built on strong songwriting.”
One of Lauryn’s favourite experiences has been writing and recording a song at ACM through Surrey Arts. It gave her a taste of music production which has sparked ideas for her future career. She says:
“I’m focused on becoming a strong writer and producer so I can bring my ideas to life and collaborate with others on theirs. Music is something I take seriously, and I’m ready to push myself to keep growing.”
Sandfield School
Our string project at Sandfield School is now in its fourth year, co-funded with the Royal Grammar School Guildford and the Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust. All year four pupils at the school learn a string instrument and those who wish to, continue with their lessons in years five and six.
Our Chair and founder Marianne Windham found herself as a guest on BBC’s The One Show in a special edition featuring people who go the extra mile to help others. The feature included the following recorded messages from a few of our young musicians.
Surrey Arts
Surrey Arts is the music education arm of Surrey County Council. They employ a number of peripatetic instrumental and voice teachers who visit Surrey state schools to deliver individual or group lessons on the full range of orchestral and band instruments for children of all ages and abilities.
Future Talent
A wonderful legacy from the late Duchess of Kent which promotes “an equal reality where all gifted young musicians from low-income backgrounds flourish.” Through Future Talent, we have been supporting Ivan, a percussionist, for three years and are thrilled to see the wonderful progress he has made. We are also now funding Hawk, a young cellist who also plays piano and sings. We are excited to see how these two enthusiastic young musicians develop in future. See their profiles above.
Young Sounds UK (previously Awards for Young Musicians)
Young Sounds UK supports talented young people from low-income families, from funding instruments to lessons, to transport, whilst expanding their musical networks and giving them opportunities to perform. We provide an annual award to cover the cost of lessons for a nominated Surrey-based student. Last year’s recipient was a multi-talented musician, Lauryn from Camberley. See her profile above.