Community Voices is a new series of posts written by the organisations we support. We hope to provide a platform for local charities to share their expertise and offer their unique insight into the opportunities available to and challenges faced by Buckinghamshire residents.

When we escape from the turmoil and clatter of modern life we might well remark: Silence is ‘Golden.’ But during the pandemic silence has often reigned where once music and cheerful conversation prevailed. For the voices in every community that kind of silence has been more like ‘Lead’ — a weight around the necks of families, the lonely and especially children.

Not surprisingly, when the New Mozart Orchestra resumed presenting its concerts in the primary schools of Buckinghamshire — from March this year — we were welcomed with open arms. Live music had at last returned. Although players still had to be socially distanced — from each other and from the audiences — it was managed, and the excitement was palpable in every single location.

“We all thoroughly enjoyed the performance.” Booker Hill School*, High Wycombe in April.

A school hall is the symbolic centre of school life, but for 12 months most primary school children have been unable to meet for assemblies of any kind, let alone concerts. When permitted to come to school at all, the children have mostly been confined to classrooms, in bubbles to manage the risks from Coronavirus.

 “One member of staff contacted me in the evening [after the concert] and said she found herself near to tears all the way through… watching the reactions of the children.” Stoke Poges School in May.

Significantly for many children a NMO live concert is the prime, possibly the only, opportunity to be inspired to choose the instrument they may wish to learn. These children include the next generation of future musicians. Our concerts launch that journey, and our partnership with Buckinghamshire Music Trust provides the pathway to instrumental lessons for those wishing to progress further.

NMO finds that story-based programmes generate the best appeal. The post-lockdown concerts were based on a story about four weary animals who each escape from their various hard lives. They set off for the town of Bremen where they hope to join the town band. In this Brothers Grimm story there are some surprises along the way, but the animals (and we) learn that making friends and helping each other can reap huge rewards.

 The ‘Musicians of Bremen’ [story] was a fabulous choice to showcase the instruments used in the concert. Super variety of music presented in a way which was accessible and enjoyed by all. Hamilton School, High Wycombe in May 2021.

The excitement and the enrichment from each concert doesn’t stop when the last note fades. The buzz spills out onto the playground, filters into lessons and travels homeward too. Discussion is stimulated, teamwork observed, personalities noticed: “The children universally liked the double bass player because ‘he was funny’.”

Recognising the cultural and educational contribution that this resident professional orchestra regularly makes to the quality of community life throughout Buckinghamshire, the Rothschild Foundation has actively supported its work for several years. Post-lockdown these concerts have achieved an extra level of excitement and occasion.

“It exceeded all of our expectations.”    Clive Fairbairn, Artistic Director, New Mozart Orchestra.      

This showreel was recorded with Rothschild Foundation Covid funding during October 2020, along with two complete concert programmes for use in schools while live concerts were not permitted. Only two weeks after the recording session the second national UK lockdown was announced: 

Visit our website to find out more: www.nmo.org.uk

Community Voices is a new series of posts written by the organisations we support. We hope to provide a platform for local charities to share their expertise and offer their unique insight into the opportunities available to and challenges faced by Buckinghamshire residents.

If you are a current or past grantee and would like to be featured in the Community Voices series, please read our contribution guidance.