UTC READING has received “unbelievably generous” donations of musical instruments, following a social media appeal.
It was prompted when Pete Doyle, parent of a former student noted the lack of music provision at the STEM-specialist school.
Peter, who teaches music in his spare time and has also run charity events such as Battle of the School Bands and the Reading Rock Academy, spoke with principal Jonathan Nicholls about his plan, who embraced the idea.
“I sent a Facebook post from my account and from some of the [social media] groups I am part of asking for urgent donations of instruments to a school,” says Pete, who runs his own social media agency.
“I wasn’t sure anyone would be listening but the response has been unbelievable.
“We’ve been overwhelmed with donations. We’ve had people donate amps, mics, a drum kit, guitars… so much it has been a good few car-fulls.”
Pete has now begun phase two of his masterplan. He has set up a music enrichment programme for students better known for their love of technical subjects. And so TechRock was born.
“We’ve been running a few weeks now and numbers are growing,” he says. “We’ve got around 24 students who are doing all sorts from singing to playing to producing and looping.
“There’s even a talented English teacher – Russell – who is a total legend, playing guitar and supervising the lessons.”
Pete says that he suspected there was an appetite for music at the college, and that the take up has been amazing.
He adds: “As well as giving some of the more experienced musicians a chance to practise, this enrichment is for everyone, even beginners.
“A lot of the students here are very intelligent, high functioning young people and music is the ideal way for them to exercise their creativity and let off steam. That’s not just learning chords on a guitar; they can play around with live looping, DJing and producing.”
Pete also hopes that it will help students emotionally.
“I’m convinced that the school will see an improvement in behaviour with some of the students who might be struggling,” he says.
“After nearly two years being stuck at home with the pandemic, the lack of social interaction, simply being in a practice room working with others is so beneficial. Being able to express yourself creatively through music is for everyone.
“The plan is to encourage the students to take ownership of TechRock – so looking after the instruments, planning the music they want to create and if and where it is performed. I’m also hoping it will become a more formal arrangement, embedded in school life.”
Principal Jonathan praised the project.
“While we have a focused and response curriculum, it is important that we find ways for our students to express their wonderful diverse array of talents,” he says. “In just a few weeks, I have seen students in a state of flow, expressing themselves through music and more than anything, having fun.
“This is thanks to Pete’s commitment to the project and his connections who have very kindly donated an incredible array of equipment to help the growth of this project.”
