Berkshire Music Trust Visit

On Sunday May 19th we were paid a visit by Dawn Wren, CEO of Berkshire Music Trust. Berkshire Music Trust is one of our chosen charities this year. Dawn was a lively and engaging speaker who talked a little about the history of the Trust (formerly Berkshire Maestros) and her passion for both playing and teaching music.

Dawn has played instruments from an early age after begging to learn the clarinet. She was awarded a scholarship to study with her local music service and has continued to expand her knowledge in ensemble playing and musicianship. She is part of the orchestra that accompanies young children from schools across Berkshire who come together to sing at the Hexagon in Reading. (If you are interested, the next concerts are in May and June - Junior Music Festival.

As well as ensuring schools across Berkshire have access to singing and instrument learning, the Berkshire Music Trust also works with Alzheimer groups and residential homes as well as providing heavily subsidised or free music lessons to any child who applies. As its website says:

We are all about music. We’re here to educate, inspire and encourage children, young people and adults to start musical journeys, to achieve their musical potential and, most importantly, to love music as much as we do.

We have been providing musical opportunities in Berkshire for over 40 years and the trust launched with a bang by holding a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Teaching instrumental and singing lessons in schools and our music centres still forms the backbone of the trust’s objectives, with thousands of students of all ages and abilities benefitting from our music activities every year.

Working with a range of partners allows us to broaden the musical horizons and offer more learning opportunities as we want music to be for everybody, and in every community.