The Glendale Music Trust

The aim of Glendale Music Trust is to provide the people of Glendale with opportunities to learn, enjoy and participate in as wide a variety of musical activities as possible. Since its inception in 1992 much of its work has been directed towards schoolchildren. For instance it has helped to pay for music teacher to work in Branton, Milfield and Wooler First Schools. It also brings in professional musicians to enhance the curriculum of local schools.

The Trust’s involvement in Glendale has given many of its children the opportunity to be taught by musicians of national and international stature. As a direct result of this they have danced at Alnwick Fair; sung with local choirs (in productions like Noye’s Fludde); learned folk songs from America (with Northern Harmony from New England) and appeared with singers from the Grand Metropolitan Opera Company of New York. In addition the Bejing Women’s National Symphony Orchestra has performed with children from Wooler First School. The Trust enjoys a close working relationship with the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston USA and The Avison Trust in Newcastle.

The Trust has also enabled lessons in piano, percussion, guitar, flute, clarinet and singing to be given in its studio at Wooler First School. In addition to working in schools the Trust actively encourages and supports many adult ventures in the community such as the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. In 1999 the Trust was instrumental in the production of a grand Musical Celebration Day at Ford Castle. The event brought together professional and amateur musicians of all ages. A wide variety of musical experiences were enjoyed.

The Trust invests £5000 per year in its annual Chrysalis Project. This involves placing professional musicians in a variety of schools during the Spring Term. The musicians work with the children bringing them all together culminating in a shared concert.

Glendale Music Trust continually strives to develop musical awareness in people of all ages and backgrounds and to use music as a means of communicating with others.