Unused instruments in your cupboard?

You may have heard recently about the Ronnie Scott’s Musical Instrument Amnesty asking people to donate instruments that they no longer use. They have asked people to give their unused instruments a new life and a lot of love in the hands of an aspiring young musician who otherwise could not afford to buy one.

One local resident, himself a keen musician has been doing the same. He says: “To me, music has been a lifeline, particularly during the recent pandemic, and I’ve witnessed how important it has been in other people’s lives. I’m not alone in being deeply concerned about the lack of access to music for children which has so many benefits for wellbeing.”

Many famous musicians have raised their concerns about the disappearance of music from the school curriculum. Andrew Lloyd Webber, for example, recently called for the government to recognise the transformative effect that classical music tuition can have on the lives of children in disadvantaged communities.

John Hart decided that rather than just worrying about the decline in music provision, it was time for him to do something about it and that is how www.musiclifeline.org.uk began. The website is still very much a work in progress as ideas are developed.

“I’m currently working with Marian Ham and other local musicians to set up introductory music workshops to be run in Rye and Hastings. We are liaising with other organisations such as The Music Well to make sure that we provide a complementary service. The workshops will be free and – very importantly – fun. We aim to explore instruments, voice, rhythms and different types of music, not just classical. We’d like to show children a whole range of music”.

Fortunately, Rye College has recently introduced music back into the curriculum, with the help of East Sussex Music (now managed by Brighton Dome and Festival) but there is still much more to be done. A school choir and orchestra should be the goals.

Can you help?

Music Lifeline is looking for instruments which can be used in the workshops. The charity has some start up funding but if future fundraising is successful, it is planned to expand the service and give or loan instruments to aspiring young musicians and perhaps help pay for lessons.

If you have any instruments in your cupboards that you no longer use Music Lifeline will make very good use of them. Music Lifeline is also looking for premises which would be suitable for short workshops for children.

If you can help in any way we’d love to hear from you. An email, or comments and suggestions would be welcomed.

Image Credits: John Hart bought from Shutterstock .