On making music tuition statutory – John Swinney

8th February 2018Newsadmin

Mr John Swinney’s (Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills) answers very recently in Parliament regarding Instrumental Tuition:

“On the question of instrumental music tuition, Mr Wightman is correct to say that it is a discretionary service—that is the existing position. I am able to give consideration to whether it should be made into a statutory provision.”

“One of the factors that would weigh in that consideration would be the enormous benefits, which I recognise, that come to young people as a consequence of involvement in musical activity. On many visits around the country I have seen the tremendous fulfilment that such activity brings to young people and the transformative change that it can have on young people’s lives.”

The full text is here:

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/sp/?id=2018-01-17.5.0

Abseilling for Funds

7th August 2017Press releaseadmin

A massive effort to raise fund for Perth and Kinross Music Foundation led the charity’s chairperson, Mhairi MacKinnon, to form a team of abseilers, to descend from the top of the Forth Rail Bridge raising over £4751.50.

The event was supported by the Rotary Club of South Queensferry and Perth and Kinross music instructors and friends of PKMF, including Lynsey Paterson, Scott Barker, Iona Crosbie, George Annan, Ken Watt, Mark Jenkins, Sandy Warnock and Robert Warnock. Participants were encouraged to raise a minimum of £145 each but all exceeded this amount by a long way!

Schubert – Die Nacht

Fundraising concert

25th March 2017Fundraisingadmin

Thanks to Liam Bonthrone and Friends, Sian Voller, Ellen Mawhinney, Charlotte Heslop, Connor James Smith, Craig Douglas, Will Frost, and David Todd for a splendid evening of songs from lieder, opera, Scots Song and the shows.

Welcome Support for Young Musicians

6th March 2017Fundraisingadmin

Local tenor, Liam Bonthrone presented Perth and Kinross Music Foundation with a cheque for £1050.

The proceeds came from one of series of concerts that Liam is planning to give in aid of the charity which supports needy families by funding their children’s attendance at weekly orchestras and music groups as well as making it possible for them to attend music camps. Liam, who studied in Perth with Mrs Edna Auld, is now a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) and is looking forward to furthering his studies with the Dutch tenor Amand Hekkers, in the Netherlands, later this year.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of PKMF, Mr Andrew Mitchell (trustee) said, “It is a great pleasure to see young people supporting other youngsters, not only by allowing them to discover the joys of music, but also to develop their skills to the fullest. Liam is a terrific role model having only recently benefited from the work of the local Music Service he is eager to make it possible for others to do the same.”

Liam’s next concert in support of PKMF will be in St John’s Kirk, Perth on Saturday 25th March, at 7.30pm when he will be joined by six highly talented RCS students for an evening entitled ‘Spring Voices’.

Tickets are £10 (adults) and £5 (children and students).

CAPTION – L-R Liam Bonthrone (tenor) with Andrew Mitchell (Perth and Kinross Music Foundation)

Voices of Spring

23rd February 2017Fundraisingadmin

Download our poster – here.

Fund Raising Forth Bridge Abseil

20th January 2017Fundraisingadmin

Perth and Kinross Music Foundation chairperson, Mhairi MacKinnon, is set to abseil off the top of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge on Saturday 28th May, in support of funds for aspiring young musicians.

Please show your support for this worthy cause by donating through Mhairi’s JustGiving page – if you are a tax payer please remember to include Gift Aid to your donation.

Music day to help local families

25th April 2016Press releaseadmin

Perth music fans enjoyed an afternoon at the opera, folk and theatre in St Leonard-in-the-Fields church, all in aid of the Perth and Kinross Music Foundation

The generous performance of Liam and his friends raised over £1000 for the charity which assists families with the cost of tuition fees and supports their attendance at the orchestras and ensembles that meet after school throughout term time.

(L-R) Liam Bonthrone, Stephanie Maitland, Peter Norris and Sian Voller with Robin Versteeg (accompanist).

Raising Funds to Let the Children Play

2nd March 2016Fundraising, Press releaseadmin

Thanks to Perth and Kinross Central Groups Elementary Strings, conducted by Mrs McKinnon, the Kinross High School Ukulele Group led by Mr Rose, Kinross High School String Group under the direction of Mrs Doyle, the Jambouree Singers accompanied bt Mrs Auld and the Perthshire Youth Brass Band.

Thanks also to our compere, Mr Allan Young, Coordinator of Perth and Kinross’ Instrumental Music Service and also to St John’s Academy Fair Trade Group for friendly catering.

Over £900 was raised enabling families on the lowest incomes to support their children’s instrumental tuition fees and attendance at Central Groups.

Spring Concert in support of PKMF

15th November 2015Fundraisingadmin

A Concert will be staged by players in Perth and Kinross’s Central Groups, together with other groups of young musicians, on Wednesday 2nd March 2016, in the Music Centre at St John’s Academy, Gowans Terrace, Perth.

Perth & Kinross Music Foundation

Letting our children play