Internationally-renowned classical pianist James Rhodes is launching the country’s biggest-ever ‘instrument amnesty’ – asking the public to donate their unwanted musical instruments to UK school children who are keen to learn but don’t have the resources to do so.
To take part the public can drop off the instruments lying unused in attics and cupboards to the Oxfam Bookshop in Hertford. They will then be collected by YodelDirect, from Yodel, the official parcel carrier for the project, to be given a new lease of life, thanks to support from Universal Music, carefully matched with requests, and delivered to primary schools across the UK that desperately need them.
The amnesty coincides with a new two-part Channel 4 series – Don’t Stop the Music – which follows James as he trials the amnesty in a primary school in Essex, investigates the issues, gathers allies and gears up to go nationwide. James is passionate about the power of music to change lives. In his view, kids are missing out, not just on one of life’s great pleasures, but on an activity proven to improve behaviour, creativity, teamwork – even basic literacy and numeracy.
James Rhodes said: “Music saved my life. It's that powerful. It is, and must continue to be, a basic human right for every child to learn an instrument. Young children have a hunger and thirst to learn music that is simply not being met. Giving a child a musical instrument that they can call their own is one of the most extraordinary and powerful things that one can do. This amnesty gives people the chance to make a real difference.”
Paul Gray, Manager at The Oxfam Bookshop in Hertford said: “We’re thrilled to be helping James with his instrument amnesty. I’d ask anyone in Hertford who has an unwanted instrument sitting unused in their homes to drop them off at our shop. Your instrument could help inspire a new generation of musicians who can use their talent to make great things happen.”
This autumn Oxfam will also be inviting participating schools to stage a performance with their new instruments as part of Oxfam’s music festival, Oxjam: Local Music, Global Impact, which raises money to help fight poverty around the world.
The Don’t Stop the Music instrument amnesty runs from 8 September-17 October.
Don’t Stop the Music, the two-part series on Channel 4 from Fresh One – producers of Jamie’s Food Revolution – airs on 9 and 16 September at 9pm.
For more information visit www.dontstopthemusic.co.uk
