Music School at Golden Lane Community Centre

The Pitch

Problem statement

There was a lack of affordable music lessons for primary aged children in this local community. We have a passion to enrich the lives of primary aged children through music lessons at our local community centre. We have taught Piano, Violin and Guitar on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays since November 2021, incorporating local Guildhall School of Music Students and local Musicians. We have 17 pupils and a waiting list for music lessons. This year thanks to our City Cultural Mile funding we have expanded our hours and taught Trumpet, Piano, Violin and General Music, if our bid is successful, we will be able to include GSM&D Student Teachers for Sunday morning lessons.

Solution

To continue to fund this project. Funding would be spent to continue to make the lessons more affordable for the parents, and therefore provide access to all members of the community as we could also offer free lessons to those on universal credit benefits. Funding would be spent to pay for the hire of the music room, which currently music teachers pay for. So music teachers get paid music union rates. Funding would be used to pay for the administration and coordination of the music school. Funding would also pay to promote and engage all members of the community and to purchase basic instruments that students cannot afford.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

We have successfully ran the Music School since 2021, building it from 3 to currently 17 pupils and a waiting list. With funding we received from AF last year we were able to offer cheaper lessons , this enabled people on lower incomes to have music lessons. We are confident that this project AF funded is now embedded in the community. We employ a Professional Trumpet player who lives on the Estate and GSM&D Students. Son of a Royal Society Musician, I am an experienced Classroom Music Teacher of 17 years who gained an AGSM at The GMS&D and worked as a professional musician. We live by the community centre and have regular contact with the children in this local community.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

20 people

Who will benefit

Expected impact

Lessons are affordable for parents until December 2024 Children learn a musical instrument which helps their well being and academic progress High quality professional teaching A range of musical instrument to choose from piano, violin, trumpet, and general music To celebrate success through a Christmas concert To celebrate achievements, we are now able to enter students for exams as they are now ready to take graded exams Promotion of the arts, music and well being in the Culture Mile To continue to foster good relationship with the Golden Lane Community Centre and City of London Corporation We would ideally with more funding: Make the lessons to be as inexpensive as last year! Inspire pupils and parents through visiting Masterclasses at GSM&D could add this to the funding as parents paid for tickets last year Increase student uptake with a Guildhall Music student to teach on a Sunday Increase student uptake to 25 or more Buy musical instruments for general music lessons

Track record

My daughter recently started this term and really enjoys her piano lessons at the music school. With the new prices this term, we were so happy to be able to afford them. Music is so good for my child's development in many ways. Thank you! Julia (A Local parent who lives on the Golden Lane Estate)

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