Question: Tell me a little bit about your role and what you do.
I run the Music Centre for the Trustees of the Music Centre. I link great venues, amazing teachers and students that want to play music together and learn more about their chosen instruments each week.
Question: What’s something really exciting/successful that’s happened in the last 6 months?
We have showcased the fantastic progress of our students in our end of term concerts. Some children have only been with us for 10 weeks and it was their first concert! Others have been with us for over 7 years and we have had the privilege to see them grow as musicians. So much fun sharing music and enjoying playing to audiences at indoor and outdoor venues.
Question: Why are schools relationships important to you? How do the schools get involved?
School relationships are very important to Music Centre. We have children from schools from all over Torbay – Brixham, Paignton and Torquay, and South Devon including Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Totnes. These children may not have other children in their school who play the instruments they do. Music Centre is where they find others who are learning the same instruments as them and realize they can meet like-minded friends. We always welcome school teachers to visit us and take a look at what we do. Peripatetic music teachers are always welcome to visit too. Please put our posters up at school, send our information out to students and parents on newsletters and if you want to visit get in touch!
Question: Can you describe some ways that families with children & young people engage with your work?
We are an established music provider in Torbay. I have parents and grandparents who now watch their children and grandchildren thrive playing instruments at TSDMC. I went through youth music ensembles when I was growing up and so did my children here in Torbay at the Music Centre.
Question: Going forward, what are your hopes and dreams in terms of engagement?
I am passionate to see more children given the opportunity to fall in love with music. Our Midsummer Music two day event on July 26th 27th where young people can explore playing eight different orchestral instruments and can achieve an Arts Award can start this musical journey.
Stay up to date with the Torbay & South Devon Music Centre and their amazing work here:
Torbay and South Devon Music Centre is a key partner of TASN.
Torbay Arts in Schools Network (TASN) is a collaborative and grassroots effort, comprised of 45 organisations, freelancers, and schools in the Torbay area.
The network serves as Torbay’s Cultural Education Partnership, providing shared regional advocacy, arts menus, creative resources, and arts outreach in partnership with area schools. What is a Local Cultural EducationPartnership? Find out more here.
The group is action-driven, and meets fortnightly over Zoom to do shared activity planning. The network is currently chaired and coordinated by Erin Walcon, Co-Director, Doorstep Arts.
The network is open-door and new artists, arts orgs or school staff are always welcome to join –just email erin@doorsteparts.co.uk to sign up to the mailing list.
