We have exciting news of another donation made by the Pavers Foundation, this time to York Music Forum and York Jazz Initiative, who have received £450 to replace broken music stands.
Heather Henderson, Admin Team Leader at our Head Office in York, applied for the funding through our employee grant initiative.
York Music Forum and York Jazz Initiative are activity streams of Yorkshire Performing Arts - a not-for-profit providing music education for children and adults.
York Music Forum (YMF) is a music education centre, that provides a range of high-quality ensembles for young people including concert bands, choirs and jazz ensembles with professional tutors. Approximately 100 people attend and benefit from the weekly sessions, concerts and tours. The group provides young musicians with the opportunity to enjoy amazing experiences, as well as learning and making life-long friends. In November 2018, the YMF Youth Jazz Orchestra were selected to perform at the Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
York Jazz Initiative provides music education for adults in a range of jazz ensembles. Around 70 adults are involved in bands and choirs. All the ensembles rehearse weekly and perform concerts in York and the surrounding areas, generating a sense of community and friendship, in a supportive learning environment.
Heather joined the York Jazz Initiative four years ago.
“Growing up I've always had an interest in music, playing both Saxophone and Cello from a young age. Although I had music lessons at school, unfortunately there was no opportunity for me to play in any ensembles at the schools I attended. I was lucky enough that my parents supported my hobby, and encouraged me to attend a music centre on Saturdays. Over the years I have played in countless concerts, attended many workshops and even travelled to Germany and France with these groups, making lifelong friends along the way.
Four years ago I joined the relatively newly formed York Jazz Initiative, which is essentially ensembles made up of adults who like me, have perhaps not played their instruments in a long time but want to start enjoying their hobbies again. I have really enjoyed being part of this and it’s been great having the opportunity to be able to play my saxophone in gigs, in and around York again.”
Heather Henderson, Admin Team Leader
The York Music Forum and York Jazz Initiative relies heavily on fundraising and membership fees to fund its upkeep. The donation of £450 from the Pavers Foundation was greatly welcomed and will be used by the group to purchase much-needed music stands.
“Thank you to the Pavers Foundation for this donation, which will make a world of difference.
As an organisation, we don’t receive any external funding for our day-to-day activities, and rely on members fees and fundraising to keep us going. This is a big deal for us as donations of this size don’t come that often.
The £450 will be used to purchase music stands which we are currently in great need of. Thank you again to the Pavers Foundation and to Heather who put us forward.”
Ian Chalk, Director of York Music Forum and York Jazz Initiative
“I would like to thank the Pavers Foundation for being so generous by donating £450. When I went to handover the cheque it was obvious just how grateful everyone was - thank you.”
Heather Henderson, Admin Team Leader
Click the links to find out more information about York Music Forum and York Jazz Initiative.
