Project Bursary report – JDCMF

.........We are utterly delighted with our young string quartets' development over the last term .

Having the generous grant from JDCMF has meant we have been able to provide a professional string playing coach for each ensemble at every session . Every group has been supported and encouraged by professionals who are passionate to share their own love of chamber music and it is exciting to see our young people gain a knowledge of this magical and rich repertoire .

We have a string quartet playing Borodin No 2 and have thrived with guidance from Thelma , leader of RLPO , and Sarah , viola player in the same . The viola player in this quartet has just accepted a place at the RCM to study from September and the other players will probably follow him when they are of age !

We have two quartets playing Haydn and they are loving it . Four of these players have been with us since our early endeavours ( rehearsing at a friend 's farm in their outbuildings !) and to see their development as chamber musicians is immensely inspiring and encourages us to do more !!!

Our youngest group are coached by the excellent Sally Anderson who has been a massive part of the In Harmony Everton project . She builds their musicianship skills and makes it fun and effective . They stand to play and always perform with rhythmic excellence ageing from 8-11 .

We have a group playing some Mozart and when their viola player has not been able to attend due to ill health they have been coached from the viola chair by Nadia Debono who is had just joined the Liverpool Phil as No 2 vla . She is Maltese and superb with the youngsters ! I think it has also been wonderful for her to get to know the children and for them to meet someone who has just relocated and is new to the orchestra.

Our newest ensemble , which would not have been possible without your help is made up of 2 eleven year olds , one 14 year old and an 18 year old and I am moved sometimes to witness the cooperation between them all . They are not a combination that would naturally flock together were it not for chamber music and they are wonderful together ! They are respectful and helpful to each other and there is much laughter and hard work too .

We return to rehearsals this coming Saturday after our Christmas break and I look forward to seeing more development , enriching and fun this term !

We are truly grateful to you for causing this to happen for these young people and thank you so much for your generosity.

Celia Goodwin