Supporting 20 talented students to study music

It is ABRSM exam time at Kampala Music School and everyone is working and practising hard, including our bursary stuents!

John Paul

John Paul has shown great determination especially in his preparation for Grade 6 ABRSM. He has been practicing regularly and his tone production is steadily improving. He presents his work for lessons really well. He's serious about his music education and this is seen in his plan for Grade 8 ABRSM in the coming years. His sight playing is developing and his tone production and phrasing have really come a long way this year. He has also started doing some teaching, though at times it feels as if this is interfering with progress, and we are working towards creating a balance.

John Paul is thankful for the little teaching he has been able to get to do at the Kampala Music School, as this has meant he's able to eke out a modest living, as he now sustains himself. He's grateful for the teacher he has who is not just a teacher, but a mentor in life. He believes music speaks to every soul and a lot of communication can be made through music. For instance his writing music about stigmatisation of different people, like Street children, HIV victims poor people etc. and he is sure that this music is going to change people's lives forever. "When I performed at the musical Garden Party, with a poet friend of mine, after we were done, one of the parents told the whole audience how he would learn to speak to his children more because he wasn't. This is an example of how my music changed someone's life"

“I stay in the ghetto and I see lots of kids trying to realize their musical abilities like in dancing but because they're poor kids they're not facilitated at all. Uganda is a country made up mostly  of Youth and the Young Generation, learning music would be one of the ways to Cut down on unemployment because it'll be a great social jobs too many youth take drugs because they’re idle. Music would be a way to get them busy and yours also. I think the donor is greatly and appreciate the help and may God bless you abundantly. They are many more like me who need help."

Edison

According to his teacher, Edison seems quite determined to improve his piano playing. Although the progress hasn't been attained at the desired pace, he continues to be committed to progress and works really hard. His site playing holds him back but this is something we are working hard towards. Edison was drawn to music out of a sense of love and feeling for a deeper understanding and meaning out of it. What he has gained from Kampala Music School, he feels is a lot. He would like to learn a lot more so that he can then share what he has learned with a community around him through teaching. He has gained lots of insights through his technical work and deeper insight into issues such as Dynamics and from a technical point of view scales and arpeggios. In this last, he has gained confidence which has reduced his tension and nervousness while playing before others. His teacher has been a great inspiration and he yearns to have enough knowledge and skill as he has.. 

"Being a student of the Kampala Music School has exposed me to the world of music through performances in different musical styles such as classical jazz Opera and group performances like Orchestra and choral music which I have been able to witness and learn from."

George 

George is very determined to complete his guitar grade 8. In the run up to the exams we having a class everyday to ensure that he'll be as ready as possible. Everything is improving very fast. He's musicality is now being expressed in the music that he plays. He's a rather busy student who's constantly coming up with many music projects that he wants to explore. 

We continue to thank all those who have given generously and to those who continue to give. This giving is changing lives not just for those sponsored but for those around them. However more can be done, and we ask you to partner with us in the great scheme.