Grant Ensures Yeovil Music Centre's Survival

The 40-year-old Yeovil Music Centre is looking forward to a strong future after it received a grant from South Somerset District Council last week.

The club - which meets at Holcote House in the grounds of Yeovil College - thrived for decades, with over 100 young musician members.

But despite its popularity the club became less viable and struggled to continue when its funding was cut.

With help from South Somerset District Council the centre organisers have transformed the club into a voluntary community group, making it possible for the club to attract external funding and turn itself around.

Pauline Burr, Arts Officer at South Somerset District Council explained, “I’m really pleased to have pointed them in the right direction so that they could turn themselves into a fully-fledged community group. They’re now well on their way to achieving their goals.

“The key to the music centre’s survival depends on them becoming completely self-sufficient, and that’s not an easy task. Hopefully, our support and funding will help them at this crucial time to develop and grow as an independent organisation.”

Cllr Ian Martin, South Somerset District Council Chairman and Cllr Sylvia Seal, who holds the district council's Leisure, Culture and Well Being portfolio presented the club with a £750 grant allocated from the district council’s Area South Committee to help cover running costs and new equipment.

A new community orchestra for musicians of grade 5 and above has already been set up under the new arrangements, with thirty members joining so far.

Cllr Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Well Being commented, “Yeovil Music Centre provides wonderful out of school opportunities for young people to develop musical skills, and this isn’t a facility that every town has.

“It’s important that we support these kinds of opportunities for our local children and I’m pleased that South Somerset District Council has backed the centre. Their organisers have put a lot of their own time into turning the club around and we wish them well in their progress this year - it’s all about enabling local people to make things happen.”

The centre hopes to significantly increase its current membership this year.

A spokesperson for the Yeovil Community Music Centre Committee said, “We greatly value the support and guidance of Pauline Burr and were delighted to receive the grant for running costs and equipment which would attract new membership and significantly enhance their performances.

“We’ve already had some very successful events - our Christmas concert was thoroughly enjoyed by parents, carers and relatives, and the children’s groups and orchestra will be performing in the South Somerset Music Spectacular on 31st March at Westland Leisure Complex.

“We also have some exciting developments ahead; the community orchestra is planning a large summer concert with a guest choir and we will also be forming a new adult choir after Easter.”

“If any teacher would like to visit the centre or encourage their pupils to join, please contact us. Also, we are encouraging anyone aged five to 18 years old who is learning to play an instrument or enjoys singing to get in touch.”

Yeovil Community Music Centre can be contacted on 07811 760255.