West Sussex Music Trust goes online for September

James Underwood Chief Executive West Sussex Music

With COVID-19 continuing to reshape the world, Horsham-based West Sussex Music Trust has announced it will be moving its Music Centre offering online from September to “ensure that the county’s young musicians can continue to benefit from high-quality ensemble experiences, albeit in a virtual way.”

West Sussex Music chief executive James Underwood said: “Until such time as the charity can resume face-to-face teaching, 12 virtual ensembles will be on offer.

“These will include string, wind and big band ensembles, as well as three contemporary groups (keyboard, guitar and rock) and two choirs.

“Open to any student in the county who sings or plays an instrument to the required minimum grade level, these opportunities extend the West Sussex Music offering to those who may not have previously been able to access a Music Centre; bringing together Music Centre members and non-Music Centre members, alike.

“During the last three extraordinary months, West Sussex Music has been unable to provide the usual range of lessons, ensembles, projects and concerts. We realise that for young musicians, as well as our teachers, this has been a very quiet and dispiriting time, so it is great to be able to let people know about our upcoming plans.”

“The experience of a summer term with no rehearsals, concerts or overseas tour is one we hope never to go through again. Covid-19 put a halt to our usual delivery and has created a challenging outlook for 2020-21 but despite the turmoil caused and the difficult decisions that had to be made, I am optimistic that we are doing everything possible to ensure that we can continue to support the ambitions of West Sussex’s young musicians.

“More than ever, I am certain that music will play a vital role in helping to heal the damage caused to young people by this crisis.”