Fund a Boy's Flute Lessons for a Year
by flutes-for-boys in London
THE FUTURE
If we get 'overfunded' in 2015 , we'll aim to fund another flute and lessons for another boy.
In January 2016, we'll push again to fund that year's lessons for our boys
This is an ongoing project and will be refreshed each year.
Fund a Boy's Flute Lessons for a Year
My name’s Owen, and I played the flute.
As a boy I was teased for playing a “girl’s instrument”, so I wanted to quit.
My male flute teacher pushed me to continue.
Among other things, he said: “grow some balls son, it’s good to be different”.
(Perhaps not the most PC phrase for a child’s ears, but it did stay with me.)
In time, I felt lucky that I got the chance to learn - most don't
40% of children from lower-income families have never played an instrument.
Most don’t get the opportunity to learn.
Instruments are expensive but lessons cost more.Schools are underfunded and Music isn't a 'core' subject .
Yes.
There is proof that music helps reading and maths skills.Music, like sport, can be a gateway to learning.Teamwork and discipline are its foundations.
This problem wont be solved overnight. So let's start small:
One Boy, One Flute, One Minute.
We plan to find one boy, gift him a flute and crowdfund his lessons for a year, minute by minute.
One 30 minute, one-to-one flute lesson costs £15
So one minute costs 0.50p
Let’s replace money with minutes.
How many minutes of tuition could you afford to give?
Every minute helps.
Flute = £100
34 lessons (academic year) = £510 or 1,020 minutes TOTAL: £610"Flutes aren't for boys", at least that's what I was told in school. It took one inspirational male teacher to keep me playing.
Besides, there aren't enough male flautists.
We're looking for a brave boy to break the trend.
We currently have 4 Primary Schools in London collaborating, and one boy from each.
If we're successful, we'll pick the winner out of a hat.
We're looking for more boys though.
Nominate via email.
(Requirements: parental permission, under 14 and they do not have access to music tuition)
If we get 'overfunded' in 2015 , we'll aim to fund another flute and lessons for another boy.
In January 2016, we'll push again to fund that years lessons for our boys
This is an ongoing project.
We fail.
If we can't reach our total in 2015, all minutes will be refunded in pounds sterling.
Raffle Tickets.
Every 1 minute donation = 1 raffle ticket.
Example: a 6 minute donation (£3) = 6 Raffle Tickets
Every month there will be one raffle winner.
Each month the prizes and tickets will be refreshed.
Don't expect normal prizes, ours are gifted from kind supporters.
So far, we’ve had donations from coffee shops, galleries, photographers, artists and dog walkers.
We’ll dedicate our time each month to making the prize hamper bigger, better and more ingenious.
Updates of the prizes will be seen on our Twitter page.
No problem. Donations to our hamper are just as important, it sustains the project.
Here are some ideas:
1) Perhaps you’re dead good at sketching and would be up for doing a pet portrait sitting. 2) Or maybe your Mum has got her own business and wouldn’t mind giving a days work experience. 3) You love dogs but don’t have one, why don’t you give up a Saturday to look after someone’s? 4) Your Gran’s elderflower/damson jam is phenomenal and you’ve got a spare jar - donate it! 5) You're an English graduate who could proofread a dissertation on ‘The Future of Charitable Causes’ for an undergraduate. 6) Your're a dab hand with Adobe and could run a Skype/ScreenShare tutorial.
We’re up for anything. Especially ideas.
Please do.
Take our concept and CrowdFund lessons for another instrument.
Or make something even better - We’ll publicise all efforts. If you want information on costs, local schools and music teachers just ask: [email protected]
1) The 'National Plan for Music Education': https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/180973/DFE-00086-2011.pdf (every child SHOULD have the opportunity to play an instrument)
2) Royal School of Music Report: http://gb.abrsm.org/en/making-music/3-executive-summary (40% of lower income families have never played an instrument)
1) We fully support James Rhodes' 'Don't Stop the Music' campaign. Check his website for the great work he's doing, and sign his petition to challenge the government on their 'National Music' policy here: http://www.dontstopthemusic.co.uk/add-my-name
2) Music for All has an innovative scheme going on. Every £1 you donate, the music industry donates £2:http://www.musicforall.org.uk/
This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.