A number of Rotarians from local clubs joined packed audiences for the Wolverhampton Schools Music Service series of concerts from the 10^th to the 14^th of July at the Music School and St. John’s church, culminating in the full orchestra’s and the Youth Wind orchestra’s presentations just before they set off for the annual overseas tour, this year to Italy.

Each concert demonstrated the extraordinary range of musical talent in our schools, reflecting the superb work done by all the teachers in the music service. They ranged from the Classical Guitar Ensemble, the Youth Choir and the Jazz Big Band among several others.

The head of the Music Service Ciaran O’donnell was fulsome in his praise and appreciation for the support provided by all the Friends of The Music Service and Rotary, and it was fitting that 2 presentations were made by Rotarians..

Firstly, Past District Governor Richard Green, representing the President of the City of Wolverhampton club Charles Cox presented the Grace Edwards award to Elsie Matthews, who had achieved 141 marks out of a possible 150 in her grade 1 examination.

The Grace Edwards Award is presented in memory of the Wolverhampton teacher, widow of Mr Brindsley Edwards, the former Headteacher of Pendeford High School. Grace Edwards was an ardent supporter of the Youth Orchestra and regularly attended their concerts. A cheque is presented annually to the pupil who gains the highest mark in a national exam board grade 1 to 5 exam and is to be used for books, music or instrument costs.

Then it was a proud moment when Tim Dukes, son of Fraser, presented the annual Fraser Dukes memorial trophy to Claudie Leary-Broomhall. Ciaran O’donnell described the late Fraser Dukes as a highly respected Rotarian who had, amongst his numerous significant services to the community, led the Rotary International programme in the District for the elimination of polio worldwide.

The award is given to the student who achieves the highest marks in external examinations.This year the winner was Jack Turner for his grade 6 Jazz saxophone examination marks. Jack was unable to be present so the award was accepted on his behalf by his teacher from Heath Park school, Claudie Leary-Broomhall.

As to the concert itself, the standard of music was stunning. The full Youth Orchestra, under their conductor Catriona Roberts included in their programme ‘The Grand March’ from Aida by Verdi – instantly recognisable, providing a rousing start. The also included, amongst other pieces ‘Chariots of Fire’ by Vangelis.

In the second half, the Youth Wind Orchestra, under their conductor Russell Lock included a new piece, written by a member of the orchestra Tom McDonald called ‘Parade,’ and they also gave us a selection of James Bond theme tunes.

Friends of  Wolverhampton Music Service

Dear Richard and Brian

I write to thank you for your very kind donation of £300 from the Rotary Club of the City of Wolverhampton to the Friends of Wolverhampton Music Service, which will enable the Friends to support the Music School’s Italian Tour in July 2023.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our young musicians to perform in great venues as well as enjoying time together and taking in the sights and culture of the country.

As a registered charity, FOWMS aims to support the participation of school age children.from all backgrounds and all part of Wolverhampton, in music learning, performance, appreciation and enjoyment by providing financial and other assistance to the Wolverhampton Music Service.

FOWMS provides this support to Wolverhampton Music Service so that as many children as possible are able to take part in a wide range of musical activities, fundraising to provide for equipment and other materials for which the Music Service receives no funding.

Currently, Wolverhampton Music Service:

• Teaches over 5,500 children every week in Wolverhampton schools on over 30 different instruments;
• Has over 50 years’ experience of nurturing and celebrating young lives of school children across Wolverhampton through musical experiences;
• Provides over 3,000 musical instruments on long term loan, at no extra cost to parents or schools; and,
• Runs 13 progressive bands, orchestras and ensembles outside the school day, at no extra cost to parents, for children to develop their playing and progress with others.

If you would like further information about the charity or our work, please contact me using the details provided below.

Thank you again for your continuing support to the Friends of Wolverhampton Music Service, it is very much appreciated.

Yours sincerely

Claire Wardroper

Treasurer, Friends of Wolverhampton Music Service

e-mail: c.wardroper@tiscali.co.uk

Charity No: 1185383

c/o Wolverhampton Music Service

The Music School, Graisley Hill,

Wolverhampton, WV2 4NE 

The Books4Home scheme at Uplands Junior School, Finchfield, Wolverhampton is going from strength to strength in the capable hands of Norman Holmes and Sally Woods.

In order to add to the children’s enjoyment of the books, the Rotary club of The City of Wolverhampton donated funds to purchase bean bags for the children to sit on while they read their books in the reading shed. Photograph shows Head Teacher Mrs. Webster-Smith with Norman and President Sylvia Morgan givng the bean bags a trial run!

Mrs. Webster Smith says “we are delighted with the wonderful support offered to our children with the Rotary Books4Home scheme. It is unique and gives our young people the great opportunity to choose and enjoy a wide range of reading material.”

Another delivery of books made recently to another Wolverhampton school under the Rotary Alumni/City of Wolverhampton club Books4Home project – a very large order this time – 360!

Rotarian Sally Woods is also seen handing over some of the books deliverered to Dunstall Hill Primary School to Family Support Worker Dawn Cummings who is very happy to receive them

The brilliant Rotary Alumni Books For Home project, welcomes a new school to support with Rotarian Sally Woods taking responsibility for delivering a constant supply of books for children to keep. Hats off to Graisley Primary School deputy head Stacey Keating and all the staff….. and indeed teachers across the city – there are children from 30 countries attending, requiring nearly as many different languages, typical of the diversity in all the schools in Wolverhampton.

IPP  Richard Green.

3 of the visiting Vocational Study Team (VSE) from Denmark were made very welcome at the City of Wolverhampton club meeting on 28th March.

Photo shows President Sylvia with team leader Charlotte Venning and members Bjarne Hansen and Jeppe Lorenzen

Team member Anne Jensen was on a vocational assignment.

Rotary Young Musicians enthralled the audience in a great demonstration of the talents of our young people.

A full house was in the Wolverhampton Music School on March 26^th for the Regional (cluster 3) final of the Rotary Young Musician Competition, hosted by the Rotary club of The City of Wolverhampton.

4 Districts, 1060,1070,1210 and 1220 had entered 7 young musicians from their District finals rounds and their performances were simply stunning, causing the adjudicators to describe many of the presentations as “perfection in every way,” and “of an excpetional standard” They certainly had a difficult task in selecting the winners in each of the instrumental and vocal categories to go forward to the National final which is due to be held on April 23^rd at Chethams School of Music in Manchester.

However, after much deliberation, vocal adjudicator Simon Whitmore decided that 16 year old Hatti Candler, sponsored by the Rotary Club of The Wrekin in District 1210 won the day with her performances of ‘The Girl In 14G’ by Tesori and Scanlan,’ ‘A Song Of Shadows’ by Walter de la Mare and ‘Love’s Philosophy’ by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

In the instrumental section, the audience was amazed as Ammera Hashmi, sponsored by the Rotary club of Lichfield St, Chad in District 1060 gave faultless playings on the piano of ‘Novellettes in C major and Bb minor’ by Francis Poulenc and a piece which caused many smiles, ‘The Cat and the Mouse’ by Aaron Copland, so Ameera will be going forward to the National Final.

This was Rotary at is best, encouraging, supporting and recognising the terrific talents of so many of our young people.

PDG Richard Green.