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The Power of Music

12/3/2019

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There's just a few days to go until PianoFest 2019! The Oxford Piano Group are playing the piano non-stop for 12 hours in order to raise funds so that more disadvantaged young people will have the opportunity to learn the instrument. 

We are only too aware of the musical benefits that good quality piano lessons can bring. However, there's a lot more to playing the piano than it might first appear. The research into the power of music is quite extensive and rigorous. 

​Please do help us in our fund-raising efforts to pass on these substantial benefits.
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Make a donation and help us to change more lives

Music* reshapes the brain

‘Active engagement with music produces structural changes in the brain related to the processing of sound’. [1]
Music can help with phonics
  • Learning to read notation may have direct transfer effects to reading text as many of the underlying principles are the same
  • There is lots of evidence that musical training provides individuals with better overall aural memory
  • There is strong evidence that making music has an impact on spatial reasoning
  • Rhythm and movement seem to be particularly important for us as a species
* All references to ‘music’ means the aural experience of music. Notation is referred to separately.

2. Musical training matters.

‘Children who experience musical training have an advantage across all subjects except sport’
  • In research studies children who learnt an instrument made better progress in school, no matter the level they started from
  • Start young!
  • The longer the training the bigger the impact

3. Music has a direct link to our emotions

'It reaches the parts of the brain other things can’t do’.
  • Music can improve our mood – how many pupils come into lessons with a frown and go out with a smile?
  • Music can reduce anger
  • Singing and playing with others gives a sense of belonging

4. Music improves self belief

‘When children engage in music and get positive feedback it helps them to develop a stronger self belief’
  • The opportunity to perform with positive and constructive feedback can be highly motivating (performance can cover a variety of contexts including informal and more formal settings
[1] All quotes taken from The Power of Music by Susan Hallam. ACCESS HERE
Make a donation and help us to change more lives
This blog post was originally written by Dr Sally Cathcart for The Curious Piano Teachers
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MUSIC FOR ALL

11/27/2019

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The Music For All Charity believes that everyone should have the opportunity to learn to play music. Making music changes lives. But not enough people are fortunate enough to have access to musical instruments or ways to help them to learn and discover. 
​Piano lessons for Elizabeth
Talented Elizabeth has set her sights on Music College after her A levels, and is currently having auditions for various conservatoires as we write (best of luck Elizabeth!) Music for All were so pleased to be able to support her and in her words:
“Without the financial support that Music for All have given me, I would have not been able to continue my piano lessons and have to give up my dreams of becoming a pianist”.
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Millie's Story

Millie is autistic and struggles with anxiety and focusing. It was her dream to learn to play the piano. Music for All helped with the provision of a keyboard and lessons with a professional teacher who specialises in supporting those living with neurological and developmental conditions. Her teacher has been very impressed with Millie’s musical aptitude and reports that she ‘has the ears of a Grade 5 student already, as she can distinguish rhythm, timing and complex chord structures just from listening.’
In addition, Millie’s parents believe music has had a positive impact on her well being as her anxiety levels have decreased dramatically, she’s calmer and happier. We have also just heard that she passed her Grade 1 Exam with a Merit!

Helping more children like Elizabeth and Millie

There's just 7 days to go to our 12 hour piano playing marathon. Please help us to reach our target of £2000 by coming along on the day and joining in the fun. If that's not possible you can still help by making a donation. 
Make a donation and help us to change more lives
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Piano Lessons For All

11/19/2019

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Why did you start to have piano or instrumental lessons?  Were you fortunate enough to have parents who supported you and could afford to buy an instrument and pay for regular lessons?
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Learning an instrument, in particular the piano, can be quite an expensive undertaking and often beyond the means of many families. Yet the evidence shows that learning an instrument and making music can really help to change lives in tangible and meaningful ways. 

MUSIC FOR ALL

The UK based charity Music for All exists to support children and families who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make music. They help in four ways
  • They bring free of charge ‘Learn to Play’ experiences to people of all ages and backgrounds.
  • They make grants available to address the musical needs of community music groups and educational organisations.
  • They donate instruments and music tuition to individuals who need our help.
  • They promote the life-changing benefits of music making.
On Saturday December 7th members of The Oxford Piano Group along with the help of friends and pupils are going to spend the day playing the piano to raise money for Music for All. 

PIANOFEST 2019

PianoFest 2019 is our 12 hour long celebration of the piano during which we are hoping to raise £2000 for Music For All. Our target is to be able to help some children in need to be able to afford piano lessons. What's more we've teamed up with The Curious Piano Teachers to make sure that the young students get some of the best and most up-to-date teaching possible. 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

You can support us in our fundraising efforts by making a donation via our JustGiving page. Also we'd love you to join us on Saturday December 7th any time between 9am-9pm and enjoy some of the piano playing that will be going on. 
SUPPORT OUR FUNDRAISING
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Coffee Concert, Tea Party and Carols

10/20/2019

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The PianoFest 2019 is all about raising money for Music for All. The charity fundraises in the belief that every child should have access to learning an instrument. 

The members of The Oxford Piano Group, as pianists, know just how valuable it can be to learn the piano and how much it can really change lives.

Preparations for the fundraising day are really getting underway and it's now possible to book your performance place at our two concerts. 
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COFFEE CONCERT - 11am
This is for adults or post Grade 5 teenage pianists who would like to come along and join in our celebration. Performers on other instruments are also very welcome although having an accompanist is essential! This is quite an informal concert.

TEA PARTY - 3pm
This is for children who would like the opportunity to perform on the Model D Steinway in the Edward Boyle Auditorium! Last time it was lovely to see all the performers dressed up and really enjoying the occasion. Being a Tea Party it will be followed by the appropriate refreshments!

Playing tickets for both concerts can be booked on our PianoFest eventbrite site.
BOOK HERE
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PIANOFEST 2019

10/12/2019

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The Oxford Piano Group are delighted to be able to announce PianoFest 2019!

The first PianoFest, in 2017, raised over £2000. We're hoping to exceed that target this year. 

Once again we are going to be playing the piano at St Hilda's College, Oxford for 12 hours non-stop. Starting at 9am and finishing at 9pm with an evening concert. 

Everyone is welcome either as a player, audience member or just to drop in.


More details to follow soon!

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