Elizabeth Howe Bursaries

We were very grateful to receive a legacy from the estate of one of our former members, Liz Howe who was a member of Carnival Drums and Community Choir. GBRT's Trustees put careful thought into how the money should be spent to promote our charitable purposes, including repairing and purchasing instruments for our choirs and ensembles and upgraded sound kit for our concerts. As Liz was a primary school headteacher we also felt it would be appropriate to use some of the funds to set up a bursary programme for less advantaged primary school children to learn to play musical instruments. After talking to a range of local stakeholders and music organisations about where our funds could make the biggest impact, we decided to focus on children in Year 4 and Year 5, who were nominated by their schools, and will fund their lessons and instrument hire at least until the end of primary school.

Alongside this, we are worked with LeicesterShire Music Hub and local freelance teachers to create opportunities for other children to learn violin, viola, cello, brass and woodwind (funded by parents) in the three schools involved in the project.  We are also provided financial support to enable the music hub to set up a beginner string ensemble in Harborough to make it easily accessible for local children and parents.