Breaking down musical barriers, one gifted bassoon at a time…
For many parents in the UK, sourcing musical instruments for their children can often feel like a challenging task – not to mention the high cost often associated with purchasing them.
Research from the Musicians’ Union (MU) has shown that cost is currently the greatest barrier to a young person learning a musical instrument, with over two-fifths (41 per cent) of those from lower income families saying lessons are beyond their household budgets. This financial burden limits access to music education and prevents young people from exploring their creative interests.
Orchestras for All (OFA) exists to help tackle this issue and improve access to music-making. Our charity believes that all young people deserve equal opportunities to pursue their musical aspirations and enjoy the significant benefits that come with playing an instrument – from boosting their confidence levels, happiness and overall wellbeing to improving their social and communication skills.
To create new opportunities for those who are keen to kickstart their musical journey, donating and redistributing unused or unwanted instruments can be an effective solution and at OFA, we’ll always do what we can to find donated instruments a new home.
That’s why last winter, our Modulo Programme Manager, Sam, delivered a gifted bassoon to 11-year-old school student, Xander, after his family had struggled to source one. A few months later, we caught up with the budding musician and his parents, Bec and Peter, to see how he was getting on…
Read more: Orchestras for All’s Annual Report 2021-2022 >
Was it tricky for you to track down a bassoon?
Xander: “Yes, it was very hard to find! One of my friends plays a trumpet and the other plays the drums, but I think one of them got his trumpet from school and the other bought his drums from a percussion shop near us.”
Bec: “Definitely, it took us a long time! We were on a real quest to find one, just to see whether it was something that Xander would enjoy – he’d had an inkling that this was the instrument he’d like to play but finding a bassoon for him to try was so difficult. We eventually found a company that could loan us one for a short period but that wasn’t local to us. That trip was probably 45 minutes away from us, just to rent the bassoon, and we did that for a while.
“Then we got in touch with Orchestras for All, which is when we finally managed to source one for him! I was scouring the Internet, really, trying to find somebody who could help. Our son, Xander, was just desperate to play the bassoon – he knew that this was the instrument he wanted to play. For Xander’s dad, Peter, and I, being non-musical, we really wanted to embrace his enthusiasm and find a way to support him.”
Peter: “Lots of instruments are also very expensive, so Orchestras for All gives many young people the opportunity to learn something that they otherwise might not be able to.”
Pictured: National Orchestra for All bassoonists play together at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Why do you love the bassoon and how are you getting on with it so far?
Xander: “I’m getting on quite well with it! I’m going to do my Grade One exam soon. I think it sounds a lot deeper than other instruments and makes a more fluent noise. So far, I’ve been playing a book that’s called ‘The Standard of Excellence’ and lots of short pieces. Sometimes, I find getting the right pitch very difficult. Putting your fingers in the correct place on all the holes can be difficult too!”
Bec: “I would say another challenge is trying to dismantle the bassoon and pop it in his bag! Xander has a lesson each week at school and he's also allowed to take it into his music lessons, so he gets another opportunity to play it then. So, it’s a good few times a week that he’s practising it – actually every evening – and then we’re packing it up in the morning. At times, it can be a mad rush trying to get it back in the bag again to get it ready for school!”
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Would you encourage other young people to play a musical instrument?
Xander: “Yeah, it’s much easier once you get started and it seems difficult in the beginning, but you get going in about a few weeks and then it gets much faster! Now I’m considering joining the woodwind orchestra at my school, and I’m also doing the beginners’ woodwind ensemble (I think, or band?) – it's on a Thursday anyway, every lunchtime!”
Bec: “I’m not musical at all, so at first, I found the whole process quite daunting but once we got in touch with you guys, it made everything quite easy and straightforward. I guess it’s just knowing what resources to tap into. It’s been hugely rewarding seeing Xander grow! He is genuinely enjoying playing the bassoon at home and practising at school. He had a lesson earlier today actually and as soon as he got in the car, he was like: ‘Oh mum, I had a great bassoon lesson this afternoon!’ He is really enjoying it, so it's just brilliant.”
What do you love the most about music?
Xander: “For me, playing instruments is the best part about music. I think it’s very exciting and I really enjoy that part. I enjoy playing music even more than listening to it and it also helps with your memory. It seems very daunting at the start, but you hit a point where it’s not so difficult and then you can just get going with it! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to play the bassoon.”
Bec: “I want to reiterate what has been said there – thank you very much, Orchestras for All, for making it happen! We genuinely feel super privileged that you sorted out a bassoon for Xander and are giving him this opportunity. We can't thank you enough for that.”
Peter: “I think music also adds a unique element to a young person’s day. It's not just purely reading or playing through all the books; music allows young people to express themselves in different ways. I think it's really important that Orchestras for All is able to give this opportunity to young people and would encourage anyone to give it a try.”
