BERKSHIRE Maestros are looking to expand their community presence through a crowd-funded project that gets little ones moving to a beat.
The ‘Mini Maestros in the Community’ project will offer twenty free sessions to families across the borough.
The sessions will take place in ten different venues, hoping to engage as many families and babies in the delight that music can bring to young children.
To achieve this, Maestros are crowdfunding the project, aiming to raise more than £17,000.
The group say they will use the money to buy five boxes of dedicated Mini Maestros instruments, hire the ten venues and pay the session leaders.
The instrument boxes will include percussion instruments, colourful scarves, soft toys and singing books for the babies and toddlers to engage with.
Currently, they have received pledges of more than £12,000.
Crowdfunding works in an ‘all or nothing’ manner. This means that unless the organisation meets its target of £17,747, then they will not receive any of the pledged donations.
Explaining this, Sam Wyne, from Berkshire Maestros said: “We’re offering 300 young children the chance to join in with these sessions. So far we have had 185 places go. We really don’t want to disappoint those parents, so are trying our hardest to reach the pledge total of £17,747.
“If we don’t reach it, sadly none of the sessions will be able to go ahead.”
At the moment, Mini Maestros sessions are run out of their main buildings, however the aim of the project is to bring music into the community.
“We’re hoping to bring the music to local families, by running the sessions in village halls, church halls and community buildings,” said Mr Wyne.
“We want the families to enjoy the music, and relax in an environment they’re familiar with.
“Whilst lots of people already come to us, we want to get out and about to them.
“We know how good playing an instrument is for people’s wellbeing. So many children enjoy learning an instrument when they are young and continue their hobby in their adult years.
“What we want to do is get younger children involved with music at an earlier age, and inspire in them and their parents to pick up an instrument.”
The sessions are open to children up to the age of three. Local sessions will be held in Arborfield and Crowthorne, as well as eight other locations in the county.
Dawn Wren, CEO of Berkshire Maestros said: “This is one of the biggest and most ambitious projects that Berkshire Maestros has undertaken in recent years but one which is significant to parents and their children within the community.
“Music-making should start from birth and we hope that this opportunity will supply many parents with an outlet to immerse their children in a weekly music session and provide the foundations for a life-long love of music.
“The finishing line for our campaign is now in sight and we need the county’s support to help us achieve our goal!”
To pledge a donation to the musical project, visit: https://www.spacehive.com/mini-maestros-in-the-community
