Music Outside School

Interview with Ayesha Pocock

Lundy Storm Performance

A Parent's Perspective
Ayesha joined the Leicestershire Music junior strings group in 2020 in the middle of lockdown. It was far from ideal meeting over Zoom, but the staff worked really hard to make it an enjoyable and valuable experience. Since Autumn 2021, the Leicestershire Music groups have been able to meet face to face again, and Ayesha has loved attending the Intermediate and Senior Strings groups. Her music has since come on in leaps and bounds, and she has discovered a love of playing with others that makes all the practice worthwhile. The leaders of these groups (Sam Giles & Jenni Goldsworthy) are fun and inspiring and their passion for sharing the joys of music really shines through. Ayesha has had the opportunity to play in amazing concerts, including at the De Montfort Hall, and being part of Leicestershire Music has also allowed her to discover a love for group singing through their choir provision.

Gillian Ramshaw, (Assistant Head of Service) would like to extend special thanks in particular to the formidable Dan Watson (LSSO Conductor) and Charlie Kedge, an orchestrator from Birmingham Conservatoire, whom have worked together to orchestrate the music, work with musicians and Ayesha, so that the symphony orchestra could bring her piece 'Lundy Storm' to life. As dad Tom recently commented, 'what an amazing experience for a 9-year-old!'

Ayesha is hoping to move up to the Leicestershire Music Concert Orchestra in September, where we have every confidence that her love of music will continue to be nurtured. We are very lucky in Leicestershire to have such a dynamic music hub. It's ongoing efforts to engage not just with schoolchildren but with home-educated children like Ayesha are much appreciated.

Good News! (August 2022)

We'd also like to congratulate Ayesha as the winner in the National Composing Competition in the 9-11 category for her piece 'Mystery' inspired by a session at Music Maze Birmingham.