String Scheme

The Festival has a strong commitment to promoting the learning of music in schools as part of its charitable ethos. We are therefore delighted that we are collaborating with an existing Music in Education programme which is managed by Dale Chambers, Head of Strings at the Royal Grammar School, Guildford.

The String Scheme was first launched at St Thomas of Canterbury School, Guildford in 2012 and provided free violin and cello lessons to year four pupils under the expert tuition of professional musicians. The Scheme created a string orchestra of over 30 pupils from years 5 and 6 who decided to carry on learning at the end of the two-year provision.

The Festival has supported the expansion of this Scheme to Sandfield School, Guildford from September 2016 and from Easter 2018 to Boxgrove School, Merrow, Guildford.

The extension to Boxgrove School has been made possible with a significant grant from the  Community Foundation for Surrey to provide the free loan of violins and cellos to 90 boys and girls in year 4 along with free tuition.

Apart from the sheer joy of a live performance, there are significant benefits to learning an instrument including the development of many lifelong skills such as concentration, patience, motor skills, memory, confidence and team work. It is therefore a great pleasure to support such a positive performing arts scheme in Guildford and we look forward to seeing the pupils progress through the school year and beyond.  To see one of the String Scheme pupils at Boxgrove School playing, click here.