Sounding Out: Spring 2024 Newsletter

Whether you’re one of our donors, a regular giver or you donated £2 on top of your Malthouse theatre ticket, thank you for your support of Sounding Out. You are making a difference to more young pupils than ever before and enabling Nikki and her team to share the joy of music making.

We are delighted to share this Spring Newsletter with you showcasing the impact of your support. 

Introducing our new Programme Leader, Nikki Ridley 

My name is Nikki Ridley. I joined King’s as a Housemistress and music teacher last September. In addition, I was asked to take on the administration of the Sounding Out project following the retirement of my predecessor, the excellent Julie Evans, whose commitment to the cause helped to get the whole thing off to such a flying start.

Coming to work at a school like King’s Canterbury is a dream come true for me. Working in the shadow of Canterbury’s magnificent cathedral and teaching at one of the country’s most prestigious schools would be enough in itself, but the Sounding Out role adds an extra special something. Being part of a project that aims to bring music to children from the wider Canterbury area and having the chance to look beyond the majestic walls of the precincts is an honour and responsibility that I do not take lightly.

My own musical interests were sparked by string tuition (offered to every pupil free of charge) at primary school. I pursued cello playing into secondary school until the oboe took over and as an adult, I learnt clarinet. Whilst I am by no means an expert in any of these disciplines, the musical opportunities I had as a child have opened many doors for me and still provide an enormous amount of pleasure and satisfaction. All of us involved in Sounding Out want to try and open these doors for children who no longer benefit from free instrumental lessons in schools.

Thank you so much for your support to this wonderful programme. I look forward to sharing news of this project as we undertake our next exciting phase of development!

Exciting Plans for the Future

Thanks to your generosity and due to increasing demand, we will be expanding our programme to support more pupils than ever before. In September 2024, our plans include two simultaneous areas of development:

1. We are planning to double our student intake! We will be recruiting a new group of year 5 students who will now have the chance to learn one of four instruments (we are adding trombone and cello to the portfolio). In order to achieve this, we will be recruiting two new teachers and potentially looking at hiring a bigger space for our sessions. We will also need to procure new instruments. Adding bass instruments to the programme will allow for more interesting chamber music options as we move forward into our second area of expansion.

2. We are looking to extend the current provision into Year 7, so that students who have been with us for two years will be able to continue their studies as they move into secondary school. This second stage of the Sounding Out programme will include an individual, rather than group, instrumental lesson and involvement in a chamber ensemble. We are particularly delighted to be able to offer this in time to retain at least six of our current pupils, who would otherwise be leaving us.

Madeleine's Story

Here is some lovely feedback Nikki and the team received from Emily, Madeleine's mother.

"I wanted to say massive thank you for the opportunity this scheme has presented for my daughter.

Madeleine has grown immensely in confidence, having been extremely shy with previous activities. Madeleine has now performed numerous times in front of an audience; confidently and with great enthusiasm (something that would not have been possible before).

Madeleine's love for music has rocketed, her passion and skills learnt have transferred to anything and everything musical. Madeleine's taste and knowledge has evolved and given her a great appreciation for music, which is now something we greatly enjoy as a family.

The teachers have been extremely nurturing, taking an extra interest in each child and providing insight into how to help them reach their full potential. Which is especially impressive as the programme runs on a Saturday morning and I'm sure they've all had a very busy week prior.

Madeleine has particularly grown fond of her violin teacher, who often comes to speak with me after lessons to give any extra advice or to say how well Madeleine is doing (which again has boosted Madeleine's confidence and love for violin exponentially). The advice given by her teacher has helped Madeleine overcome her fear of being in front of a large audience, something that will greatly help her in life, especially as she embarks on her secondary school journey.

This would not have been an opportunity I could have provided for my daughter on my own, so I am immensely grateful to all the teachers, organisers and sponsors. Not only has Madeleine shocked me with the speed at which she's advanced, but no earplugs were needed in the process! Thank you again for this opportunity and I hope it runs just as successfully for many years to come."

To find out more about Sounding Out, please contact Darren Ellis, Development Officer, at dje@kings-school.co.uk