Dorset Music Service is the main provider of musical tuition within Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth Schools and also runs county groups, ensembles and music hubs. It is committed to providing all kinds of instrument playing and musical opportunities at the highest practicable level, to as many young people in the county as possible.

Making music is an amazing experience, and it also gives us so much more. It helps us to develop our learning and listening skills, work with other people, express our ideas, explore our creativity, think differently and improve our confidence and self-esteem. It can, quite literally, change lives.

John Thornton Music Award for each of the Dorset Music Service County Groups

This year the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation provided a John Thornton Music Award for each of the Dorset Music Service County Groups. Membership of a County Group gives the young musicians the opportunity to play with other talented musicians, play large scale pieces, perform at a variety of venues and experience professional playing.

The winners of the John Thornton Music Awards were selected by the Group Directors and nominated as the member who had demonstrated exceptional qualities, taking into account, general improvement, musicianship, behaviour and helpfulness together with any other relevant qualities. Each award attracted a bursary to encourage further development of the student’s musical careers above and beyond their normal progress.

The award winners for 2011 were:-
Dorset Youth Orchestra – Tom Bufton – Gold Award
Dorset Youth Wind Orchestra – Jack Manley – Silver Award
Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra – Damon Oliver – Silver Award
Dorset Youth Senior String Orchestra – Tom Watts – Silver Award
Dorset Youth Concert Band – Jonathan Coldstream – Bronze Award
Dorset Youth Junior String Orchestra – Katie Andrews – Bronze Award

Amongst the recipients last year were: Andrew Cox who purchased a new French Horn and reports ‘the ability to play consistently higher notes and make warmer tone thanks to the quality of the instrument’. Joshua Brewster who purchased a new violin, Laurie Stevens who purchased a new trumpet, Jenny Coombs who purchased equipment to assist in her trombone playing, Jasmine Kayser who put her award towards purchasing a drum kit which is being used both at school with her rock band and at home and Elliot Kingston who is currently saving to purchase a new cello and has put his award towards this project.

Some extracts from the students ‘thank you’ letters.

Laurie Stevens

‘......it has helped me on my way to achieving my musical goals, of passing grade 8 on the trumpet and maybe even a career in music’......

Lydia Grace East

‘......it has inspired me to apply for other awards and the opportunity to play in front of an audience was very useful and a great experience and I hope to be able to do more. The experience has made me realise that I can achieve my goal if I keep trying’......

Andrew Cox

‘......since buying the horn my playing standard has increased as I no longer have to worry about sticky valves or slides. The quality of the horn also enables me to consistently play higher notes and make a much warmer tone. I really think that this association is a brilliant idea as without this boost in finances buying my French Horn would have probably been delayed for a considerable time. Thank you so much!’......

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JTYAF Music Awards made to musicians from the Dorset Music Service total £2,000

The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation approached the Dorset Music Service and offered sponsorship to deserving musicians within their County Groups, to further enhance their musical careers above and beyond their normal progress.

Applications were invited and the students provided details of how they would use the money and why they felt they would be a worthy recipient of one of the awards. A short list was drawn up based on the strength of the application and those selected were invited to perform a piece of their own choosing on Monday 26th July at Bryanston School.

The students performed in front of 150 other musicians who were attending the Summer Residential Course and a small panel of adjudicators. Awards were allocated on the basis of age, ability and the strength of their application.

This was a wonderful opportunity and 8 musicians ranging from an 11 year old violinist to a 17 year flautist received awards which totalled £2,000.

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