Instrument Donation Scheme
The School welcomes donations of pre-loved instruments to support our loan scheme, which provides valuable assistance to those boys just starting to learn a new instrument.
This academic year, 26 boys have benefitted from this scheme on a range of instruments including flute, clarinet, oboe, violin, viola, cello, trumpet and bass guitar! All instruments, apart from pianos (with which we are fully equipped), are warmly welcomed. Boys can have use of a School instrument for at least a term, and in many cases up to a year. This enables them to start having individual instrumental lessons without having to worry about the cost of buying an instrument. This supports wide participation in the musical life of the School and helps manage the financial barrier of boys getting involved, particularly whilst still discovering if they enjoy a particular instrument.
We would love donations of old instruments that we can put into the scheme, or even replace some of our older instruments with better ones. We want lots of boys to learn an instrument, contribute to Music at QE and enjoy the wonderful new facilities! [Ruth Partington, Director of Music]
If you have an instrument that you no longer want or need, and are willing to donate it to the School, please contact us via enquiries@qebarnet.co.uk and we can make arrangements to accept it. Boys can bring donated instruments to the front office, or directly to the Music Department.
If you do not have an instrument to donate, but would still like to help, you can support our Instrument Fund.
This will help the School upgrade its stock of instruments for loan to those boys in need. Below you can hear from some pupils who have benefitted from the instrument loan scheme.
Pictured right: Mel Giedroyc donated her old cello, called Limon, to the School for the instrument loan scheme when visiting to support Virtual Founder’s Day last year.
Orko Ghosh: Oboe
"I started playing the oboe in Year 8, and I have really enjoyed it so far. I am going to take my grade 2 exam this year. If you play the oboe, you have lots of opportunities like taking part in the woodwind ensembles. I really like playing the oboe, and the instrument loan scheme allowed me to have the experience of playing the instrument that I really like, which I wouldn't have had the chance to without it.
"I am planning to continue playing the oboe and take instrumental lessons in the school for as long as I possibly can."
Rei Lai-Fujiwara: Trumpet
"So far I have reached Grade 2 on my trumpet and now I am practicing for my Grade 4 exam. Learning an instrument allows you to play in an ensemble which is a brilliant opportunity to play with others, learn cooperation and build confidence, which has all been an excellent experience so far and I have enjoyed every bit of it, especially the concerts. In the future, I hope to achieve higher grades and gain confidence to play in even more ensembles.
"Loaning an instrument was a big help for me as we had just applied for the lessons, in Year 7, and could not have bought a trumpet in time. Loaning a trumpet through the scheme was a huge help to allow me to start playing."
Rei now has his own trumpet after thriving in his lessons.
Nafis Meah: Viola
“I play the viola, a minority instrument in the School, and have taken Grade 1 last term with Merit. I have really enjoyed learning my instrument as it is something I can do to take away the stress of studying. Even if you don't want to take Music for your career, learning an instrument is a worthwhile thing to do. Playing an instrument can also open up opportunities in School, like playing in Junior Strings. It's fun playing with others who play similar instruments and being in concerts.
"In the future, I hope to carry on Music into my GCSEs and even play in the School Orchestra.”
