Music is so important

Published: 13 January, 2011

• WE write to express our concerns about the cutting of the Camden Music Services, and what it means to us.

We, Nathan, 15, Rachel, 14, Judith, 13 and Joel-Isaac, 12, have all used the music services, and still do today. We started using the services from an early age at school (the teachers came to school) and then we moved on to the Saturday Centre. 

Using the services has helped us develop as musicians; teaching us instruments and allowing us to play in concerts. The services provide excellent teaching, with experienced professionals, who both teach and perform. They also encourage us to take up challenging pieces to help us improve our musical skills. The services allow children to take up instruments they love to hear, and wish to play.

By taking this away, the government is snatching dreams away from us children, and taking our opportunities to make wonderful music.

The service allows us to hire instruments, so that we may practise. This is great for those who don’t have the chance to purchase instruments. It also helps us to purchase instruments without paying VAT, because it forms part of our musical education.

Buses are provided to take us to the centre. 

The services organise exams and bring examiners to the centre at Camden School for Girls. This means we don’t have to travel far to get music qualifications; we are staying in our borough.

Judith started using the services from the age of eight, and has used them for five years now. She has benefited and has taken up four instruments. Judith is also pursuing a career in music.

We hope the council change their mind and keeps these services.

NATHAN, RACHEL, JUDITH AND JOEL-ISAAC MUSOKI
King Henry’s Road, NW3