The advancement of the art of music for the public benefit in the Chubut (Welsh settlement) region of Patagonia by providing musical instruments, including refurbished instruments, and other related resources to enable specialist school music teachers, musical youth groups and schools to play and learn music.
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0Patagonia Instrument Project (PIP) a small charity based in Cardiff that was set up after the BBC National Orchestra of Wales tour to Chubut Patagonia, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishing of the Welsh settlement in Patagonia – Y Waldfa, in 1865. During the first week of our tour, we worked with school and youth groups in the East of Chubut, and what was very apparent, was the huge lack of resources they faced. Either instruments were not available, or too expensive for them to buy.
On returning to Cardiff, Chris Stock (Principal Percussionist) formed a charity group, independent of the BBC, to try and resolve this. It obtained full charity status with the Charity Commission in 2016. 
The original plan was to send a mixed container of instruments that would be divided amongst the various groups and schools we had worked with previously. While tackling all of the red tape to gain the right to do this, we collected 10 flights cases of instruments. It took just under 2 years to be given the right to export/import our donations and the impact within the province was immediate.
Since then, we have expanded the number of groups we work with and support. There are now 7 children’s orchestras that we support by buying and repairing instruments, providing spare parts, as well as rehearsal essentials such as chairs and music stands, Alongside these groups is a children’s choir that has been kitted out with a concert uniform, as well as three Welsh/Spanish bilingual schools and one English/Spanish bilingual school that have received digital pianos, and school percussion instruments. One has even received a Welsh Harp!
Our newest orchestra has recently been started in Epuyen with funds raised by PIP for all of the new instruments.
To date, we estimate that we have raised over £100,000, and nearly all of this has been used as was first intended, to provide musical instruments for Youth groups and schools in Patagonia.
We have received congratulations for our work from Embassies in both London and Buenos Aires, both British Council Wales and Argentina, the Royal Philharmonic Society and the Association of British Orchestras. However, the greatest satisfaction comes from seeing the impact our work has had in the communities across Chubut, and the ever-increasing number of musical opportunities available to children there. Please contact us through the website or on our social media platforms if you wish to learn more about us, or support our work in the future.
Once again, thanks from the team, and all the children who will benefit from this generous donation in the future.