Berkshire Maestros is delighted to be involved in helping BA pilot Jim Trott with a fantastic project: bringing the joy of music to a deprived community in Africa. A number of older brass instruments which are no longer suitable for use by Maestros students have been donated to the Kampala Music School in Uganda. Special mention also goes to members of the Bracknell and Wokingham Community Band who have donated instruments to the project, baked cakes and donated prizes for tea time raffles, in order to raise money to cover the shipping costs.


On a recent trip to Africa, Jim accompanied the Principal of the Kampala Music School (KMS) to one of the slums where a fantastic project has been set up to get street children, destitute children and youth with HIV/Aids off the streets into a community or safe house where they can learn the basics of an education and music. They have a brass band and a national dance and drum program running. A dance was performed for Jim and the brass band played a couple of numbers. They practice every day after school and can play for about 2 hours without music.

Jim said: “The kids love it, they loved showing off to me and the great thing is the older children are now finding employment as musicians in the Police band, Army bands and the newly formed Airforce band. This is breaking the cycle of poverty and is providing hope for what was once a hopeless future.”

The KMS will set up another project in January. Berkshire Maestros hopes to be able to continue to support this very worthwhile cause by donating more instruments whenever possible. Find out more here http://www.musequality.org/mlisada.html