When I'm in Kampala I'm going to be working with the Kampala Music School. The KMS opened in 2001 as part of the "Pianos for Uganda" scheme which brought in many donated pianos and has grown steadily since.
The KMS maxim that “no young person with talent and potential should be turned away because of inability to pay for lessons” is made possible by bursaries. This is obviously something quite close to me as it was through a similar scheme that I was able to have piano and trumpet lessons when I was younger, and directly led to me studying music at University. For many Ugandan families classical musical training is simply unaffordable. KMS has been able to provide help where it is needed and maintain a context which has enriched so many young lives. Some come from bleak situations and have been provided with a safe refuge, the means of expressing themselves, and importantly the means of earning a livelihood. At least 25 Ugandan teachers, formerly KMS students, are now earning a living wage from their music.
For the past many years the KMS have rented a basement in the local YMCA but now they are raising funds to support the purchase of brand new premises to enable the work to continue.
