Torkard Academy visits Hucknall National Out of School Club to spread the joy of music in the community

A local music centre which aims to ensure that all local children have an opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument regardless of their socio-economic background, shared the joy of music with a Hucknall holiday club last week.

Mat Davies the director of Torkard Academy visited Hucknall National Out of School Club on Tuesday (23 August) and Thursday (25 August) to introduce the children to a variety of musical instruments as well as teaching them a number of singing exercises.

The academy, based in Hucknall, began in 2016 and was in rude health prior to the Coronavirus pandemic. However, after being forced to pause all of their lessons, practices and concerts during various lockdowns, they have struggled to build their numbers back up since reopening in September last year.

As a result, Mr Davies is trying to forge contacts with various schools in and around Hucknall to get as many local children as possible involved in music.

The hope is that some of the children he reaches will choose to pursue their new found passion for music and they can do so by joining the Torkard Academy's choir, ensemble orchestra or choosing to have instrumental lessons, all of which are held on Saturdays at Central Methodist Church on Baker Street.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, Mat said: "I took over as director in 2018 and I'm trying to grow the academy and get more local children into it so we can make it work because were trying to keep the costs as low as we can to make music as accessible as possible to the community."

Mr Davies got in contact with Lisa Severn, Deputy Manager of Hucknall National Out of School Club which is based on Montague Road, and in the holidays is open to children from any of the local primary schools.

Photo courtesy of Hucknall National Out of School Club.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, Ms Severn said: "We like to engage the children in lots of different things and if an opportunity like that arises then we grab it.

"It's something that our children wouldn't necessarily see because not all children can access them (music lessons) because of price.

"They really enjoyed it and it's an enrichment activity that obviously you might inspire one of them to take it up.

"They loved it, they were all keen to have a go. There were queues for all the instruments. He (Mat) made sure everyone had a go. It was lovely to see some children do that that I wouldn't normally think would engage with it. It's something we want to encourage, and we want to invite them back again."

Of his time at the out of school club, Mr Davies added: "I did lots of singing workshops with them so lots of different ways to use their voices a few fun warm up songs and things.

"And then on Thursday one of our young people who is involved, Daisy, came in with me. She's a violinist, she's gone through our academy system learning violin and guitar and playing in the orchestra.

"She came in and demonstrated the violin and guitar, and I took the trombones in and gave all the children chance to have a go on some of our instruments so they all got to try the trombone, guitar and violin to see whether they would like to learn them.

"It's absolutely amazing, one of the most rewarding things ever, that's why I chose to go into this line of work. I think just bringing that new element and new experience to them and then letting them experience the live music together, there's so much joy it brings me. It's more than worth it."

For further information about Torkard Academy click here.