Page 376 - Guildhall Coverage Book 2020-21

because it’s not just nine and ten-year-olds that he hangs out with. They are in mixed groups
according to their ability for their instruments, rather than age, so he’s actually made friends across
the board. And it’s lovely to see because he goes in and he’d be hanging out with some slightly
older girls and some slightly younger boys, and they’re all talking about the same thing. It’s a
fabulous leveller, it really is.
Does it also introduce a little bit of healthy competition, having mixed ages?
When Edward started he had very little experience – he’d been playing the clarinet for only about
three months. Now he’s like an old hand! But there was somebody that came into his particular
group recently who, although they were a lower grade than him, they had a different skill. They had
always played in groups, where there was a lot of counting involved and they were actually a lot
better than him at that. And it really took him back a little bit, you know – he came away saying
‘Wow, I’ve really got to work on this…’ It’s done in a really nice way, but it does give them
something to think about. They like to work towards things as well, such as when they do
performances. Edward was involved in the Peterborough Cathedral performance for the Moon
exhibition, and when there’s a performance coming up he often comes away saying ‘I want to do
my best… Can I do a bit of extra practice?’ That really gives them an insight into other areas and

other opportunities.
How did he respond to performing in Peterborough Cathedral? That must be a bit scary!
That was a lightbulb moment for him. He came away from that with such a buzz. He was nervous
going into it, no doubt about it – that was the first time he’d actually played in an orchestra with
everybody around him – but just sitting up there with everybody else in the group, with all of your
friends, makes it less scary in the first place, because everybody is in it together. And afterwards
he said: ‘I get it… I really understand why people enjoy performing.’ He said it was just one of the
best things he’d ever done. He’s never looked back from then. It has given him a degree of
confidence that’s palpable. You know, you can really see him growing, and it’s so great to see that.

Would you say it’s changed him in ways beyond just his musical ability?
Yes, we’ve definitely noticed a level of confidence in Edward that he didn’t have before. And also
wider knowledge because they do those three elements, you know – the singing, the music theory
and the ensemble group playing. We’ve actually found his knowledge across the board has
improved so much that he’s more confident taking things on outside of PCYM. At school he’s just
done a reading in front of everyone, which two years ago I’d never have thought he could have
done. It gives him that level of confidence more than anything. Plus he’s got a whole set of friends