Is classical music only for the children of the rich?

No - we have always believed that music should be for everyone - rich or poor, talented or just interested! We try to put our beliefs into action by helping children from low income families.

[NB this is obviously for children from all over the Exeter area!  We are also setting up a local project in Beacon Heath & Whipton with 2 schools]


If you are on a low income and have one or more children who would like to take part in any of the lessons offered by Exeter Young Strings, then please contact Kirsty, to see if we can help with the lesson costs.

We cannot guarantee sponsorship, but will do our best to help.  We will need to ask about your employment status and annual income and will be pleased to hear any other information you think would support your case.  Obviously all applications will be handled in strict confidence.

As well as helping financially we do have a number of good instruments [mainly violins and cellos] that we can loan.  A new instrument can be a major cost, so again please ask. 

Children who we are able to help will not be marked out or treated any differently from their fellows - they won’t be embarassed in any way.

Please note that applications do need to be made each year - hopefully your situation will improve and our help will no longer be necessary!

Exeter Young Strings is registered with the Beacon Learning Community**, which has funding for children aged 5 – 16 who are eligible for free school meals or who are “looked after” to take part in out of school activities. The scheme will typically fund up to 2 hours of activity a week in term time and 30 hours over the holidays.
Examples of activities funded by the Beacon Learning Community include:

  * After-school clubs
  * Holiday play schemes & activities
  * Languages, homework/revision clubs
  * Scouts/Cubs/Brownies/Guides/Sea Cadets, St John’s Ambulance, etc.
  * Arts & crafts, dance, drama and music activities including music lessons – guitar, piano, flute, etc.
  * Activities at Leisure or Sports Centres -  eg. swimming lessons, street dance classes, etc.
  * Sports clubs and coaching – eg. football, netball, basketball, boxing, tennis, cricket, etc.
  * Outdoor pursuits – eg sailing, fishing, rock climbing, canoeing, etc.

Eligible children can currently use this funding to pay for group and/or individual lessons and instrument hire with Exeter Young Strings.

** Schools in the Beacon Learning Community are: St James’ School; St Luke’s Science & Sports College; St Peter’s Church of England Aided School; Stoke Hill Infant School; Stoke Hill Junior School; St Michaels Church of England (VA) Primary School; Ladysmith Infant & Nursery School; Ladysmith Junior School; St Nicholas Catholic Primary School; Whipton Barton Infants School; Whipton Barton Junior School; Willowbrook Primary School; Pinhoe Church of England Primary School;  Ellen Tinkham School. Children have attend one of these schools to be eligible for the funding.
For more information please contact Mark Drew on 07833 297011or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Help us to help

If you are reading this page, and are thinking ‘that sounds worth encouraging’ - well, there are all sorts of ways you can help, some totally free!

  • You may have unwanted instruments, sheet music, music stands or other musical equipment you can give us
  • Become a full Sponsor - get your own page on this site in return
  • Become a Friend of EYS
  • Make a one-off donation
  • Attend our events
  • Link to this page on your website, blog, FaceBook or MySpace page or similar on-line community
  • Mention us to your friends - they may be able to help
  • Have a good idea for fund raising

Please contact us about any of these ways of helping.

 

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