Donation amplifies Victory musicians

Victory Primary School has turned up the volume on its music programme, thanks to a donation of a PA system from the Kids Love Music Charitable Trust.

The trust has been funding ‘taster’ music lessons at the school for the last 18 months, which means that every student at the school has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.

“It’s going extremely well, and now that kids have the skills they want to perform on stage in bands,” says founder of the trust, Wayne Densem.

So, to help them make the most of their talents on stage, the trust, along with some help from sponsor Neville Claughton (aka Mr Music), presented the school with a PA system on Friday.

“We want to give kids an opportunity to do something in a band setting and it’s really encouraging to see them get up on the stage. They have some amps but not a PA system,” says Wayne.

The PA system consists of two speakers, a mixing unit, and stands.

The components have come from various donors (including Mr Music) and Wayne reckons it’s all worth more than $2000.

Principal Dan George says the PA system will make a “huge” difference for the school and the community.

“We want to express our gratitude and say how thankful we are. Now we have the resources for the performance aspect of our music programme, meaning bands can perform at assemblies.”

The trust was founded two years ago and is now running its music taster programme in five schools across the region - Victory Primary School, Tāhunanui School, Brightwater School, Waimea Intermediate and Broadgreen Intermediate.

Wayne says they support schools by providing the instruments and tutors - something that many families cannot afford.

The trust is backed is by some dedicated sponsors such as Abbots Insurance, Bowater Motor Group and NBS.

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