UPDATE: January 2021 - so here we are again....... We need your help now more than ever! Please spread the word - we are still working hard (remotely!) and can't wait to see all our staff and students again soon. Stay safe!

The arts sector in general has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting everything from organisations like us providing education and opportunities at the grassroots level all the way up to the professionals.

It has been a very difficult period for the Elgar School of Music (ESM) in the past few months and we are very grateful to those teachers and students who have bravely continued their music-making and learning using online platforms. However, we had unfortunately lost nearly a third of our students due to various circumstances.

As we try and prepare for the new academic year, we find ourselves in a financial situation where our near future is not as bright as we would like it to be. Much of our funding and other income sources which have supported us in the past had decreased in amounts or disappeared all together during the last few months. We have adapted our building to make sure that it is as COVID-secure as possible to allow for some live music-making to restart this September, however with only a third of the building suitable for social-distancing and good ventilation, we look to continue to lose business for the foreseeable future.

But......WE ARE BATTLING ON and we are going to do our best to continue providing opportunities for our community.

Since closing our doors in March, we are now working hard to restart our groups and choirs again. Our Community Choirs are a social lifeline for some of the members, many of whom are older and look forward to the personal interaction with the other members The various groups we run with a focus on children and adults with additional needs offer them the chance to take pride in acquiring new skills and demonstrating their abilities in a supportive environment. Our adult ensembles cater for everyone from brave beginners and returners to advanced players keen to hone their talents in like-minded company. Our genre-specific groups, from Folk Group to Raglejazz to Baroque Singers to Viol Consort, welcome musicians young and old, who delight in coming together with our specialist tutors.

WE NEED YOUR HELP - however small it may be, we would appreciate your support in helping us to keep our doors open for our community.

THANK YOU from all at the Elgar School of Music.

https://www.elgarschoolofmusic.org.uk/