A Musical Phoenix Rises

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Last year, the long-established IAPS music courses stopped running, much to the disappointment of children and parents alike.  Richard Smyth, a former Director of IAPS Orchestra Trust, decided to set up an alternative.

Musical children from prep schools across the country were bitterly disappointed when the long-established IAPS music courses came to a sudden and unexpected end last November. 
A combination of factors including the recession, falling numbers of applicants and the withdrawal of grants from various sources had led the Trustees to make the decision to discontinue the courses rather than risk the loss of the Trust’s remaining funds to subsidise uneconomic courses.

As a former Director of the IAPS Orchestra Trust for ten years, and having just returned following the serious illness of my successor, this was a bitter blow for me personally.  I had the unenviable task of informing parents and schools of the Trustees’ decision; during the week that I spent sending out the sad news, and returning over 100 deposits already paid for places on IAPS courses, I formed the decision to set up my own organisation to replace them.

All this was in mid-November; by January 1st Stonebridge Music was up and running with a new logo specially designed, a website (offering application and even payment online), brochures ready to go out to schools and parents, a bank account and a simple constitution.  Central to the latter was a decision to run as a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation – essential to avoid having to charge VAT.

It was a gamble: with my own money invested in Stonebridge for all the start-up costs and no certainty that anyone would actually sign up, I was taking a calculated risk – though much encouraged by the immense support from the IAPS Trustees themselves, as well as musicians, parents and many schools.  By the Spring it was clear that it had paid off, as numbers of applicants quickly approached the break-even point, and by the time the courses themselves started in July target numbers had been reached for all four courses – and exceeded by 50% for the orchestra.

The brilliant professional conductor and educator Jonathan Butcher, who had for many years directed the IAPS Symphony Orchestra, was recruited as Artistic Director, and international cellist Steven Isserlis agreed to be Patron.  The other musical directors, sectional tutors and pastoral staff nearly all came from the ranks of the former IAPS courses to staff the four Stonebridge courses that were selected for the first season: a Symphony Orchestra, a Junior Strings Ensemble, a Concert Band and a Jazz Course.

And so, on July 12th, the first Stonebridge course convened at Wellington College in Berkshire.  During the succeeding fortnight over 200 children took part in the four courses – nearly half of them in the Symphony Orchestra.  They made music for many hours a day, they took part in a wide variety of activities, they gave stunning concerts for their families and friends and, virtually without exception, they wanted to come back next time.

So will there be a next time?  At the start of the final concert, with the Stonebridge Symphony Orchestra squeezed into the Wellington College theatre and the audience spilling over into the foyer, I was able to announce that Stonebridge would be here to stay.  The ethos and style is very similar to the former IAPS courses but, as well as being open to everyone, Stonebridge is at liberty to develop in any direction.  For 2010 a Chamber Orchestra and Choral Course are both planned for the week after Easter and very similar courses to this year for July/August.  Plans are also in hand for a senior Wind Band (ages 14 – 16) and as for the future – who knows what exciting developments may be forthcoming?

One thing is certain, however: there is a need and a demand for residential courses that provide opportunities for children to make music together in a disciplined but fun environment, where both the musical and social aspects are catered for to a high and professional standard.  My two principal aims for every course are that children make at least six months’ progress on their instruments and that they enjoy it so much they want to come again.  If the comments received after last July’s courses were any indication, these two aims have been amply fulfilled.

All IAPS schools (and many others besides) will receive details of next year’s Stonebridge courses towards the end of September, as will parents of previous participants.  But we rely most of all on the parent network to spread the word, so if you believe in what we are doing, please tell everyone about Stonebridge Music Courses and help us to create and develop the finest possible range of opportunities for musical children!

To find out more about the Stonebridge Music Courses, visit www.stonebridgemusic.co.uk or call 01745 870345.

Richard Smyth spent 15 years as Head of an IAPS school before becoming Director of the IAPS Music Courses for 10 years, and the National Schools Symphony Orchestra for 5 years.

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